Mark 6:1-13
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
After a long series of teaching, preaching, and healing, Jesus goes back to his hometown, Nazareth.
He is still invited to the synagogue to preach and teach.
The people who hear Him are “amazed.” This is the fifth time in the gospel of Mark that this phrase is used.
But then, criticism and skepticism enter the room.
“Where did he get all these things?” “What is this wisdom? What are these remarkable miracles?” They took offence at him.
Lexham Commentary: The Nazarenes base their rejection on the fact that they have known Christ and his family their whole lives; they know his profession and they know his family members. Either familiarity has bred contempt or they suffer from a damning inferiority complex and actually agree with the adage that nothing good can come from Nazareth (John 1:46). Light has dawned on this corner of Galilee of the gentiles (Isa. 9:1–2), but the Nazarenes, who are at its brightest spot, can’t or won’t see it.
A prophet has no honor in his hometown, among his relatives. This statement of Jesus is true about Himself but also about the prophets of the Old Testament who were rejected over and over again by their own people.
He was “amazed” / “marveled” that the people who were “amazed” are rejecting Him.
John Cassian: In some cases he so richly poured forth the mighty work of healing that the Evangelist was led to exclaim: “He healed all their sick.” But among others the unfathomable depth of Christ’s goodness was so thwarted that it was said: “And Jesus could do there no mighty works because of their unbelief.” So the bounty of God is actually curtailed temporarily according to the receptivity of our faith. So it is said to one: “According to your faith may it be to you,” and to another: “Go your way, and as you have believed so let it be to you,” and to another “Let it be to you according as you will,” and again to another: “Your faith has made you whole.” Third Conference of Abbot Chaermeon 15.
Mark 6: 6-13
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Then Jesus had to go somewhere else to keep doing the mission that He had been sent to do. Preach and teach about the Kingdom.
But now, it is the turn of his disciples to step up.
So Jesus sends them two by two, gives them authority over unclean spirits and gives them some instructions.
He gives them power and limitations.
Take a staff, sandals, one tunic, no bread, no bag, no money.
Unlike in Nazareth, the ministry of Jesus by extension of his disciples, is powerful in other towns.
- Prudentius:
To wish for nothing more than need demands
Is rest supreme, with simple food and dress
To feed and clothe our bodies and to seek
No more than is prescribed by nature’s wants.
When going on a journey, take no purse,
Nor of a second tunic think, and be
Not anxious for the morrow, lest for food
The belly lack. Our daily bread returns
With every sun. Does any bird take thought
Of tomorrow, certain to be fed by God?
— The Spiritual Combat.