拿撒勒人厭棄耶穌

耶穌帶著門徒離開那地方,回到自己的家鄉。 到了安息日,祂開始在會堂裡教導人,眾人聽了都很驚奇,說:「這個人從哪裡學來這些本領?祂怎麼會有這種智慧?祂怎麼能行這樣的神蹟? 這不是那個木匠嗎?祂不是瑪麗亞的兒子嗎?祂不是雅各、約西、猶大、西門的大哥嗎?祂的妹妹們不也住在我們這裡嗎?」他們就對祂很反感。

耶穌對他們說:「先知到處受人尊敬,只有在本鄉、本族、本家例外。」 耶穌不能在那裡行任何神蹟,只把手按在幾個病人身上,醫治了他們。 他們的不信令耶穌詫異,於是祂就去周圍的村莊教導人。

差遣十二使徒

耶穌召集了十二個使徒,差遣他們兩個兩個地出去,賜給他們制伏污鬼的權柄, 又吩咐他們除了手杖之外,不用帶食物和背囊,腰包裡也不要帶錢, 只穿一雙鞋子和一套衣服就夠了。 10 祂說:「你們無論到哪裡,就住在那些接待你們的人家裡,一直住到離開。 11 如果某地方的人不接待你們,不聽你們傳的道,你們在離開之前要跺掉腳上的塵土,作為對他們的警告!」

12 使徒便出去傳道,勸人悔改, 13 趕出許多鬼,為許多病人抹油,治好他們。

施洗者約翰遇害

14 耶穌聲名遠播,希律王也聽說了祂的事。有人說:「施洗者約翰從死裡復活了,所以能夠行這些神蹟。」

15 也有人說:「祂是先知以利亞。」

還有人說:「祂是個先知,跟古代的一位先知相似。」

16 希律聽到這些議論,就說:「祂一定是被我斬了頭的約翰從死裡復活了。」 17 原來希律娶了他兄弟腓力的妻子希羅底,並為她的緣故而派人逮捕了約翰,把他關押在監牢裡。 18 因為約翰屢次對希律說:「你娶弟弟的妻子不合法。」

19 希羅底對約翰懷恨在心,想要殺掉他,只是不能得逞。 20 因為希律知道約翰是個公義聖潔的人,所以敬畏他,並對他加以保護。儘管約翰所講的道理令他困惑不安,他仍然喜歡聽。

21 機會終於來了。希律在自己的生日那天設宴招待文武百官和加利利的顯要。 22 希羅底的女兒進來跳舞,甚得希律和客人的歡心。王對她說:「你想要什麼,只管說。」 23 王還對她起誓說:「無論你要什麼,哪怕是我的半壁江山,我都會給你。」

24 她便出去問她母親:「我應該要什麼呢?」

她母親說:「要施洗者約翰的頭!」

25 她馬上回去對王說:「願王立刻把施洗者約翰的頭放在盤子裡送給我。」

26 王聽了這個請求,感到十分為難,但因為在賓客面前起了誓言,就不好拒絕。 27 他立刻命令衛兵進監牢砍了約翰的頭, 28 放在盤子裡送給這女子,她又轉送給她母親。 29 約翰的門徒聽到這個消息,就來把約翰的屍體領回去,安葬在墳墓裡。

耶穌使五千人吃飽

30 使徒們聚集在耶穌身邊,向祂報告事工和傳道的經過。 31 耶穌對他們說:「你們私下跟我到僻靜的地方去歇一會兒吧。」因為當時來來往往找他們的人實在太多,他們連吃飯的時間都沒有。

32 他們乘船悄悄地到了一處僻靜的地方。 33 可是有許多人看見他們離開,認出了他們,便從各城鎮步行趕往那裡,比他們先到達。 34 耶穌一下船,看見這一大群人好像沒有牧人的羊,心裡憐憫他們,於是教導了他們許多道理。

35 天色晚了,門徒過來對耶穌說:「時候已經不早了,這裡又是荒郊野外, 36 請遣散眾人,好讓他們到周圍的村莊去自己買些吃的。」

37 耶穌說:「你們給他們吃的吧。」

門徒說:「我們哪來這麼多錢買東西給他們吃啊?」

38 耶穌說:「看看你們有多少餅。」

他們察看後,說:「有五個餅和兩條魚。」

39 耶穌吩咐門徒叫大家分組坐在草地上。 40 於是眾人坐下,有的五十人一組,有的一百人一組。 41 耶穌拿起那五個餅、兩條魚,舉目望著天祝謝後,掰開遞給門徒,讓他們分給眾人。祂又照樣把那兩條魚分給眾人。 42 大家都吃了,並且吃飽了。 43 門徒把剩下的碎餅、碎魚收拾起來,裝滿了十二個籃子。 44 當時吃餅的男人有五千。

耶穌在湖面上行走

45 隨後,耶穌催門徒上船,叫他們先渡到湖對岸的伯賽大,祂則遣散眾人。 46 祂辭別了眾人後,就上山去禱告。 47 到了晚上,門徒的船在湖中心,耶穌獨自留在岸上。 48 大約凌晨三點鐘,祂看見門徒在逆風中搖櫓,非常吃力,就從水面上朝門徒走去,想要從他們旁邊經過。 49 門徒看見有人在湖面上走,以為是幽靈,嚇得驚叫起來。 50 全船的人看見祂,都嚇壞了,耶穌立刻對他們說:「放心吧,是我,不要怕!」

51 耶穌上了船,來到他們那裡,風便停了。門徒心裡十分驚奇, 52 因為他們仍然不明白耶穌分餅那件事的意義,心裡還是愚頑。 53 他們渡到湖對岸,來到革尼撒勒,在那裡靠岸, 54 剛一下船,眾人立刻認出了耶穌。 55 他們跑遍那一帶地方,用墊子把生病的人抬來,聽到耶穌在哪裡,就把病人抬到哪裡。 56 耶穌不論到哪一個城市、鄉鎮和村莊,人們總是把病人抬到街市上,求耶穌讓他們摸一摸祂衣裳的穗邊,所有摸過的病人都好了。

A Prophet Without Honor(A)

Jesus left there and went to his hometown,(B) accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came,(C) he began to teach in the synagogue,(D) and many who heard him were amazed.(E)

“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? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon?(F) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.(G)

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”(H) He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on(I) a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(J)

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.(K) Calling the Twelve to him,(L) he began to send them out two by two(M) and gave them authority over impure spirits.(N)

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 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(O) as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent.(P) 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil(Q) and healed them.

John the Baptist Beheaded(R)(S)

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[b] “John the Baptist(T) has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”(U)

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet,(V) like one of the prophets of long ago.”(W)

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.(X) He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”(Y) 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.(Z) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[c]; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet(AA) for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.(AB) 22 When the daughter of[d] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”(AC)

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(AD)(AE)

30 The apostles(AF) gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.(AG) 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,(AH) he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat(AI) to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.(AJ) So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”(AK)

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[e]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”(AL)

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.(AM) Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Jesus Walks on the Water(AN)(AO)

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat(AP) and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida,(AQ) while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.(AR)

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost.(AS) They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(AT) 51 Then he climbed into the boat(AU) with them, and the wind died down.(AV) They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.(AW)

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.(AX) 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak,(AY) and all who touched it were healed.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
  2. Mark 6:14 Some early manuscripts He was saying
  3. Mark 6:20 Some early manuscripts he did many things
  4. Mark 6:22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter
  5. Mark 6:37 Greek take two hundred denarii

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth(A)

Then (B)He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were (C)astonished, saying, (D)“Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and (E)brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they (F)were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, (G)“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (H)Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And (I)He marveled because of their unbelief. (J)Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Sending Out the Twelve(K)

(L)And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out (M)two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but (N)to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

10 (O)Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11 (P)And [a]whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, (Q)shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. [b]Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, (R)and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

John the Baptist Beheaded(S)

14 (T)Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore (U)these powers are at work in him.”

15 (V)Others said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is [c]the Prophet, (W)or like one of the prophets.”

16 (X)But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, (Y)“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19 Therefore Herodias [d]held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod (Z)feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he [e]did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 (AA)Then an opportune day came when Herod (AB)on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, (AC)“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 (AD)And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and (AE)took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Feeding the Five Thousand(AF)

30 (AG)Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 (AH)And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For (AI)there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 (AJ)So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

33 But [f]the multitudes saw them departing, and many (AK)knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 (AL)And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like (AM)sheep not having a shepherd. So (AN)He began to teach them many things. 35 (AO)When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves [g]bread; for they have nothing to eat.”

37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said to Him, (AP)“Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

And when they found out they said, (AQ)“Five, and two fish.”

39 Then He (AR)commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He (AS)looked up to heaven, (AT)blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were [h]about five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on the Sea(AU)

45 (AV)Immediately He [i]made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He (AW)departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and (AX)would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a (AY)ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, (AZ)“Be[j] of good cheer! It is I; do not be (BA)afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind (BB)ceased. And they were greatly (BC)amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For (BD)they had not understood about the loaves, because their (BE)heart was hardened.

Many Touch Him and Are Made Well(BF)

53 (BG)When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately [k]the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that (BH)they might just touch the (BI)hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:11 NU whatever place
  2. Mark 6:11 NU omits the rest of v. 11.
  3. Mark 6:15 NU, M a prophet, like one
  4. Mark 6:19 held a grudge
  5. Mark 6:20 NU was very perplexed, yet
  6. Mark 6:33 NU, M they
  7. Mark 6:36 NU something to eat and omits the rest of v. 36.
  8. Mark 6:44 NU, M omit about
  9. Mark 6:45 invited, strongly urged
  10. Mark 6:50 Take courage
  11. Mark 6:54 Lit. they