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(A)He summoned the Twelve[a] and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. [b]He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 [c]He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 [d]They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick(B) and cured them.

Herod’s Opinion of Jesus.[e] 14 King Herod[f] heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying,(C) “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”(D) 15 Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 6:7–13 The preparation for the mission of the Twelve is seen in the call (1) of the first disciples to be fishers of men (Mk 1:16–20), (2) then of the Twelve set apart to be with Jesus and to receive authority to preach and expel demons (Mk 3:13–19). Now they are given the specific mission to exercise that authority in word and power as representatives of Jesus during the time of their formation.
  2. 6:8–9 In Mark the use of a walking stick (Mk 6:8) and sandals (Mk 6:9) is permitted, but not in Mt 10:10 nor in Lk 10:4. Mark does not mention any prohibition to visit pagan territory and to enter Samaritan towns. These differences indicate a certain adaptation to conditions in and outside of Palestine and suggest in Mark’s account a later activity in the church. For the rest, Jesus required of his apostles a total dependence on God for food and shelter; cf. Mk 6:35–44; 8:1–9.
  3. 6:10–11 Remaining in the same house as a guest (Mk 6:10) rather than moving to another offering greater comfort avoided any impression of seeking advantage for oneself and prevented dishonor to one’s host. Shaking the dust off one’s feet served as testimony against those who rejected the call to repentance.
  4. 6:13 Anointed with oil…cured them: a common medicinal remedy, but seen here as a vehicle of divine power for healing.
  5. 6:14–16 The various opinions about Jesus anticipate the theme of his identity that reaches its climax in Mk 8:27–30.
  6. 6:14 King Herod: see note on Mt 14:1.

Calling the Twelve to him,(A) he began to send them out two by two(B) and gave them authority over impure spirits.(C)

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(D) as a testimony against them.”

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

John the Baptist Beheaded(G)(H)

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[a] “John the Baptist(I) has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”(J)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:14 Some early manuscripts He was saying