Mark 6

1. He went out from thence, etc. From the neighbourhood of the Lake of Gennesaret our Lord went to Nazareth, the surrounding district being called “His own country (fatherland).”

3 the carpenter. This word implies that Jesus Himself actually worked at the trade of His reputed father. As the people of Nazareth mentioned Him only as “the son of Mary,” it appears probable that Joseph had died before this time; and that Jesus was therefore known as having helped to support by His labour His widowed mother, with whom He dwelt.

5. He could there do no mighty work. He “could not” do this, without violating His rules of requiring faith as a condition of His help. “The door was, so to speak, shut upon the Saviour by the people’s impiety” (Culein).

7 by two and two. Thus regarding their weakness and the social necessities of their nature, and guarding them against the dangers of isolation and of personal ambition. It is observable that, whilst Matthew places their names in pairs in his list, it is Mark who tells us that they were sent out by “two and two.”

8 a staff only. In Matt. x. 10 the command is not to take a staff (R.V.), i.e., an extra staff. So “no shoes,” i.e., no change of shoes.

no scrip. Referring probably to the wallet carried by a beggar, like that of the wandering heathen priest (Deissmann).

13 anointed. The anointing was not the means of cure; but (like touching with the hand) was a visible symbol of the invisible healing power thus imparted. See James v. 14: see also vii. 33; 2 Kings v. 14; John ix. 6.

14. Herod. This was Herod Antipas, son of

Herod the Great, and brother to Archelaus: see note on Matt. ii. 1, 22. At his father’s death, he obtained the government of Galilee and Persa, with the title of “tetrarch” (Luke iii. 1, 19), which originally meant a ruler of a fourth part (of the kingdom), but was afterwards applied more generally, like the name “king.” At the time of these events he was probably residing at Macharns, a fortress in the south of Persa, east of the Dead Sea, where John was imprisoned. He was a very different man from his father—weak, crafty, and temporising, rather than violent and cruel; with some good dispositions, but too much the slave of passion to allow them to have much practical influence.

His name was spread abroad. By the preaching of the apostles as well as His own. The various reports “perplexed” Herod; and his own guilty conscience led him to adopt the supposition which he most dreaded—“It is John.” Comp. the scene in Shakespeare’s Richard III. (Act v. Sc. 3): “Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow.”

therefore mighty works do show forth themselves. Or, as R.V., “therefore do these (the) powers work in him.”

17. Philip’s wife. Not Philip the tetrarch of Ituræa (Luke iii. 1), but another brother who had no tetrachy. Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great, and was married to her uncle Philip, whom she abandoned for Herod. To make way for her, Herod had divorced his former wife, the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia; which involved him afterwards in war.

19 had a quarrel against him. Rather, as R.V., “set herself against him,” having “an inward grudge” (A.V. marg.).

20 observed him. This means rather, “preserved him” from the attempts of Herodias against his life (“kept him safe,” R.V.). Therefore she resolved to gain her end by stratagem.

did many things. The Greek verb of what was probably the original reading, “was much perplexed” (ēporei), is very similar in form to that word translated “did” (epoiei). His “hearing gladly” was doubtless due to the fact that John explained some of the points about which Herod was perplexed. He could at least appreciate the preacher’s message.

21 a convenient day. For the execution of the queen’s designs.

chief [estates] of Galilee. The most distinguished men in that province.

22 the daughter, etc. Salome, the daughter of Philip and Herodias. She afterwards married her uncle Philip, the tetrarch of Ituræa, and then her cousin Aristobulus.

and danced. This was usually done by paid performers. For a princess to assume the part of a professional dancing-girl was the greatest indecorum.

23 unto the half of my kingdom. See note on Esther v. 3. A vain promise, as Herod the tetrarch would have no power to give away any part of his sovereignty! He speaks of his kingdom like Ahasuerus!—Sicer.

25 by and by in a charger. Or, “at once on a platter.” She asks to have it done “at once,” lest Herod should change his mind when cool.

26 for his oath’s sake. He forgot that to keep an unlawful vow was only adding to the guilt of a hasty word the heavier guilt of a deliberate crime. He was also afraid of being ridiculed as mean or spiritless, which led him, as it has led many others, into wrong-doing.

reject. “Disappoint” or “break faith with.”

27 an executioner. A soldier of the guard in attendance. Mark here uses a Latin term.

29 when his disciples heard [of it]. John’s death seems to have occurred about three years after he began his public work, and when he had lain in prison nearly a year and a half: for the Passover was now at hand (John vi. 4); and this was the third during our Lord’s ministry.

33 afoot. Or, “by land.” Seeing the direction which the vessel was taking, the people “ran together” by land round the northern end of the lake, to meet our Lord on His disembarking.

37 two hundred pennywells. Worth about $40, though some place the value at even a higher sum. See note on Matt. xx. 2. This was Philip’s reply (John vi. 7). He probably mentions the amount actually in “the bag,” or common purse.

40 in ranks. The word here used properly means “garden-beds”; the orderly grouping of the companies (39), each consisting of fifty or a hundred. By this arrangement the vast multitude could be conveniently served, and accurately counted. The “green grass” is the touch of an eyewitness. During several months of the year the herbage on these slopes is parched and brown. But John (vi. 4) informs us that the Passover was nigh. The whole scene would therefore be verdant in the freshness of spring. See one of the finest passages of Ruskin (Modern Painters, Part iv. chap. xiv. § 51).

45 unto Bethsaida. “Towards Bethsaida.” They land on the plain of Gennesareth (53); and the next day the multitude follow in boats to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus, and find Him there (John vi. 24, 25, 59).

46 when He had sent them away. R.V., “after He had taken leave of them.”

48 toiling. The original word is very expressive: “distressed” (R.V.).

the fourth watch. From “cock-crowing” till sunrise (about 3-6 a.m.). Three watches are elsewhere reckoned: the latter being the Jewish method, the former the Roman.

would have passed by them. A touch peculiar to Mark. As though He disregarded their distress. Thus He acted towards the sisters at Bethany (John xi. 6). He often sees fit to try faith, and to elicit prayer, even while He designs to bestow His gracious help: see also Luke xxiv. 28. Mark omits the incident of Peter’s walking upon the waves.

52 their heart was hardened. Peculiar to Mark and showing the truthfulness of his narrative.

53 drew. Rather, “moored,” as R.V.

56. And whithersoever He entered, etc. Only in Mark.