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Jesus in his hometown

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin.

Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. He was appalled by their disbelief.

Sending out the disciples

Then Jesus traveled through the surrounding villages teaching.

He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. 10 He said, “Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 11 If a place doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives. 13 They cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them.

Death of John the Baptist

14 Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” 15 Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” 16 But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.”

17 He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, 18 but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” 19 So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. 20 This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him.

21 Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. 22 Herod’s daughter Herodias[a] came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.”

24 She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied.

25 Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” 26 Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. 27 So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, 28 brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. 29 When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus feeds five thousand people

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. 31 Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” 32 They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.

33 Many people saw them leaving and recognized them, so they ran ahead from all the cities and arrived before them. 34 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

35 Late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This is an isolated place, and it’s already late in the day. 36 Send them away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something to eat for themselves.”

37 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

But they said to him, “Should we go off and buy bread worth almost eight months’ pay[b] and give it to them to eat?”

38 He said to them, “How much bread do you have? Take a look.”

After checking, they said, “Five loaves of bread and two fish.”

39 He directed the disciples to seat all the people in groups as though they were having a banquet on the green grass. 40 They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 Everyone ate until they were full. 43 They filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of bread and fish. 44 About five thousand had eaten.

Jesus walks on water

45 Right then, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After saying good-bye to them, Jesus went up onto a mountain to pray. 47 Evening came and the boat was in the middle of the lake, but he was alone on the land. 48 He saw his disciples struggling. They were trying to row forward, but the wind was blowing against them. Very early in the morning, he came to them, walking on the lake. He intended to pass by them. 49 When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost and they screamed. 50 Seeing him was terrifying to all of them. Just then he spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” 51 He got into the boat, and the wind settled down. His disciples were so baffled they were beside themselves. 52 That’s because they hadn’t understood about the loaves. Their minds had been closed so that they resisted God’s ways.

Healings at Gennesaret

53 When Jesus and his disciples had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret, anchored the boat, 54 and came ashore. People immediately recognized Jesus 55 and ran around that whole region bringing sick people on their mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Wherever he went—villages, cities, or farming communities—they would place the sick in the marketplaces and beg him to allow them to touch even the hem of his clothing. Everyone who touched him was healed.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:22 Or the daughter of Herodias herself; Gk uncertain
  2. Mark 6:37 Or two hundred denaria; a denarion was a typical day’s wage.

Rejected at Nazareth

And he went out from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And when[a] the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him[b] were amazed, saying, “Where did this man get these things? And what is this wisdom that has been granted to this man, and the miracles such as these performed through his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they were offended by him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own household.” And he was not able to do any miracle in that place except to lay his[c] hands on a few sick people and[d] heal them.[e] And he was astonished because of their unbelief.

The Twelve Commissioned and Sent Out

And he was going around among the villages teaching. And he summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. And he commanded them that they take along nothing for the journey except only a staff—no bread, no traveler’s bag, no money in their[f] belts— but to put on sandals and not to wear two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, as you[g] go out from there, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 And they went out and[h] proclaimed that people[i] should repent. 13 And they were expelling many demons and anointing many sick people with olive oil and healing them.[j]

Herod Kills John the Baptist

14 And King Herod heard it,[k] because his name had become known. And they were saying, “John, the one who baptizes, has been raised from the dead, and because of this these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the prophets.” 16 But when[l] Herod heard it,[m] he said, “John whom I beheaded—this one has been raised!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and[n] arrested John and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not permitted for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias held a grudge against him and was wanting to kill him, and was not able to do so. 20 For Herod was afraid of John, because he[o] knew him to be a righteous and holy man and protected him. And when he[p] listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly. 21 And a suitable day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and military tribunes and the most prominent men of Galilee. 22 And when[q] the daughter of Herodias herself[r] came in and danced and pleased[s] Herod and his dinner guests,[t] the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it[u] to you.” 23 And he swore to her,[v] “Anything whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” 24 And she went out and[w] said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and[x] asked, saying, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 26 And although he[y] was deeply grieved, the king, because of his[z] oaths and dinner guests,[aa] did not want to refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and[ab] ordered him[ac] to bring his head. And he went and[ad] beheaded him in the prison. 28 And he brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 And when[ae] his disciples heard this,[af] they came and took away his corpse and placed it in a tomb.

The Feeding of Five Thousand

30 And the apostles regathered to Jesus and reported to him everything that they had done and that they had taught. 31 And he said to them, “You yourselves come privately to an isolated place and rest for a short time.” For those who were coming and going were many, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to an isolated place by themselves. 33 And many people saw them leaving and recognized them,[ag] and ran there together by land from all the towns, and arrived ahead of them. 34 And getting out of the boat[ah] he saw the large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without[ai] a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 And the hour had already become late when[aj] his disciples came up to him, saying, “The place is desolate and the hour is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding farms and villages and[ak] purchase something to eat for themselves.” 37 But he answered and[al] said to them, “You give them something[am] to eat.” And they said to him, “Should we go and[an] purchase bread for two hundred denarii and give it[ao] to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they[ap] found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 And he ordered them all to recline in groups on the green grass. 40 And they reclined in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish and[aq] looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves and gave them[ar] to his disciples so that they could set them[as] before them. And he distributed the two fish to them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they picked up the broken pieces, twelve baskets full, and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on the Water

45 And immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he[at] had said farewell to them, he went away to the mountain to pray. 47 And when[au] evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw them being beaten in their rowing[av] because the wind was against them. Around the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he was wanting to pass by them. 49 But when[aw] they saw him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, and they cried out. 50 For they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke with them and said to them, “Have courage, I am he! Do not be afraid!” 51 And he went up with them into the boat, and the wind abated. And they were extraordinarily[ax] astounded within themselves, 52 because they did not understand concerning the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Many Healed at Gennesaret

53 And after they[ay] had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And as they were getting out of the boat, people[az] recognized him immediately. 55 They ran about through that whole region and began to carry around those who were sick[ba] on stretchers, wherever they heard that he was. 56 And wherever he would go, into villages or into towns or to farms, they would put those who were sick in the marketplaces and would implore him that if they could touch even the edge of his cloak. And all those who touched it were healed.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:2 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came”)
  2. Mark 6:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Mark 6:5 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  4. Mark 6:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“lay”) has been translated as a finite verb
  5. Mark 6:5 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Mark 6:8 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  7. Mark 6:11 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“go out”) which is understood as temporal
  8. Mark 6:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  9. Mark 6:12 Here “people” is supplied as the subject because a third-person pronoun (“they”) would be ambiguous
  10. Mark 6:13 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Mark 6:14 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Mark 6:16 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  13. Mark 6:16 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. Mark 6:17 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“had sent”) has been translated as a finite verb
  15. Mark 6:20 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“knew”) which is understood as causal
  16. Mark 6:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participles (“came in” and “danced”) which are understood as temporal
  17. Mark 6:22 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came in”)
  18. Mark 6:22 In place of “the daughter of Herodias herself” some manuscripts have “his daughter Herodias”
  19. Mark 6:22 Some manuscripts have “danced, she pleased”
  20. Mark 6:22 Literally “those reclining at table with him
  21. Mark 6:22 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  22. Mark 6:23 Some manuscripts add “at length”
  23. Mark 6:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  24. Mark 6:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came in”) has been translated as a finite verb
  25. Mark 6:26 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as concessive
  26. Mark 6:26 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  27. Mark 6:26 Literally “those who were reclining at table”
  28. Mark 6:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Mark 6:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  30. Mark 6:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  31. Mark 6:29 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  32. Mark 6:29 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  33. Mark 6:33 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  34. Mark 6:34 The words “of the boat” are not in the Greek text but are implied by this verb, which refers to disembarking from a boat or ship
  35. Mark 6:34 Literally “not having”
  36. Mark 6:35 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came up”) which is understood as temporal
  37. Mark 6:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb
  38. Mark 6:37 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  39. Mark 6:37 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  40. Mark 6:37 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb
  41. Mark 6:37 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  42. Mark 6:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal
  43. Mark 6:41 Here “and” is supplied in the translation because of English style
  44. Mark 6:41 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  45. Mark 6:41 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  46. Mark 6:46 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“went away”) which is understood as temporal
  47. Mark 6:47 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came”)
  48. Mark 6:48 Or “being held up in their progress”
  49. Mark 6:49 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  50. Mark 6:51 Literally “exceedingly extremely”
  51. Mark 6:53 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had crossed over”) which is understood as temporal
  52. Mark 6:54 Here “people” is supplied as the subject of the verb because the third person pronoun “they” could be confused with the disciples getting out of the boat earlier in this verse
  53. Mark 6:55 Literally “who were having badly”

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42 And they did all eat, and were filled.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.