Mark 5:1 ¶ And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mark 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Mark continues the flow of the narrative from the last chapter…
When they reached the other side of the sea, they made shore in the country of the Gadarenes, Gentile territory. As soon as Jesus stepped on shore, a man with an unclean spirit that lived in the tombs nearby was there to meet Him. This man had supernatural strength because of the demons that indwelt him. Not even chains could hold him; he easily broke free from them. Neither could he be tamed by anyone. He always stayed in the mountains and tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones.
Luke’s account adds that the man had been in this condition for a long time and that he wore no clothes.
Luke 8:27 “And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”
The effect of Satan and his forces always results in evil to the person they possess. In scripture, such people are almost always depicted as having no self-control.
Guzik made an interesting observation: “Demons also attack men because they hate the image of God in man, so they attack that image by debasing man and making him grotesque - just as they did to this man in the country of the Gadarenes.”
Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Mark 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
When the man saw Jesus from afar, he ran and prostrated himself (from the Greek) before Him. Then he cried out with a loud voice (my paraphrase), “What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I urge you in God’s name not to torment me.” Obviously, it was the unclean spirit speaking through the man.
Jesus told the unclean spirit to come out of the man after asking him his name. The spirit answered that his name was Legion because there were many of them. The spirit begged Jesus not to send them out of the country.
This is pretty amazing. We learn from this account that demonic spirits can take possession of a person in great numbers. I’m sure that explains in part the great strength this man possessed.
Luke gives us a bit more detail.
Luke 8:31 “And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.”
The demons begged Jesus not to send them into “the deep” because they recognized His authority as the “Son of the most high God.” Their request also indicates that they recognized that there is a place in which they fear being confined. The Greek for “the deep” is the word abussos, a reference to the bottomless pit. This is the same word for the same place from which the demon locusts of Revelation 9 emerge and in which the devil is bound for 1000 years during the Messiah’s kingdom.
Revelation 9:1–3 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
Revelation 20:1–3 “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
Mark 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
Mark 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Mark 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
Mark tells us that there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the nearby mountains. The devils actually begged Jesus to send them into the pigs. Jesus agreed to that. When they took possession of the pigs, the whole herd (numbering about 2000) ran madly down the mountainside and off a cliff into the sea.
That really didn’t make sense to me. Why would they ask to go into the pigs and then kill them? I guess they used the pigs just to get away from Jesus and then destroyed them so they could escape to take advantage of others in that country since they specifically didn’t want to be sent out of that country.
The men taking care of the pigs quickly left to spread the news all around. The people who heard the story then went to see the situation for themselves.
The New Bible Commentary made an interesting observation as to why Jesus granted the request of the demons: “We may guess that the entry of the demons into the pigs was necessary, especially in a Gentile area, so that both the man and everybody else might see that the forces of evil had truly left the man.”
Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
When the people came to Jesus, they saw the man that had been possessed by the legion of devils sitting calmly, clothed and in his right mind. Instead of being happy for him and thankful that he was no longer a menace, they were afraid. They had been told what had happened, but it’s like they didn’t believe it until they saw the man for themselves. They began to implore Jesus to leave.
Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Decapolis = a ten-city region in that part of Syria
Jesus left to get back on the ship, and the formerly possessed man begged to be allowed to go with Him. The LORD didn’t allow it. He told the man to go home to his friends and tell them the great things He had done for him, the kindness He had shown him. The man didn’t argue. He left and immediately began to go throughout the Decapolis telling everyone about all Jesus had done for him. All those who heard his testimony admired him in wonder.
Every sinner saved by grace should be sharing the good news of Jesus with others as passionately as this man. We should be so thankful that we can’t wait to share the good news with others.
I truly believe we will see this man in heaven. I don’t know what the LORD was able to teach him during their time together, but he certainly evidenced submission and obedience to Jesus according to the revelation he had been given.
Mark 5:21 ¶ And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
When Jesus reached the other side of the sea, many people were waiting for Him on the shore. Among them was one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet. Though this man occupied a position that one would think positioned him as an enemy of Jesus, his need took precedence over worrying about what those who were over him would think. He told Jesus that his little daughter was dying and begged Him to come and lay hands on her and heal her. Jesus didn’t hesitate. He went with the man, and a crowd of people followed Him.
Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mark 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
In the crowd was a woman that had suffered a continual discharge of blood for 12 years. She had endured many different kinds of treatments by many doctors. She spent all the money she had, yet she was worse and not better. Adding to her physical suffering, this woman suffered socially because her condition made her unclean; and anyone having contact her would be made unclean. I’m sure she suffered from being a social pariah.
When she heard that Jesus was coming, she was determined to get close enough to Him to touch His robe. She just knew that if she could but touch His robe, she would be healed. As soon as she touched His robe, she could tell by what she felt in her body that she had been healed.
Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Mark 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Mark 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
Mark 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Jesus immediately knew that miraculous power (from the Greek) had gone out from Him. He turned around and asked who had touched His clothes. His disciples couldn’t believe He would ask that question with such a large throng of people surrounding Him. Jesus was not deterred; He looked around to identify who had touched Him—not a normal touch, a touch of faith. The woman, though afraid and trembling, came and fell down before Him and confessed the whole story. Jesus was satisfied. He comforted the woman and told her that it was her faith that had healed her. He then told her to depart in peace; she would no longer suffer from that disease.
I think there are many false teachers around today that take advantage of people by sending out things like prayer hankies for a donation. Though the woman was healed when she touched Jesus clothes, she wasn’t healed by the touch; she was healed because of her faith.
The Greek for the word “peace” references not only deliverance from her disease, but also in her relationship with Jesus.
There are so many times that I think about the way Jesus answered her, as He did so many others—Thy faith hath made thee whole. One of the hardest truths in scripture for me to understand stems from that statement and other prayer promises. It is based on these truths that I know that I need to grow a great deal more in my faith. I truly believe Jesus can do anything, but I have a hard time believing that He will do anything. I am sure the key is connected to asking in accordance with His will, always the qualifying statement in my prayers.
Mark 5:35 ¶ While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
While Jesus was speaking to the woman, a messenger came from Jairus’ home, telling him that his daughter was dead so there was no need to bother Jesus. Jesus head what the messenger said and immediately told Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe. He continued walking towards the home, only allowing Jairus, Peter, James and John to go with Him.
Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Mark 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
When they got to the house, everything was in an uproar with much weeping and wailing. Jesus asked them why they were making so much fuss since the child was only sleeping; she was not dead. The people laughed at Jesus mockingly. He then put everyone out of the house and took the father and mother and the three disciples with Him into the room where the little girl was lying. Jesus took the child by the hand and told her to arise. She immediately got up and walked. Then we are told that she was 12 years old. Those with Him were totally amazed. Jesus then told them all not to talk about what they had witnessed; then He told them to get the child something to eat.
Again, Luke tells us a little bit more.
Luke 8:54–55 “And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.”
I think it is important to note that Luke is inspired to point out that her spirit returned to her, affirming that she was dead. Our spirits are the eternal essence of our being, the part that leaves our body at death. It is the spirit that is immediately in the presence of the LORD when the Christian dies. Our glorified body, the body fit for heaven, will be ours at the rapture. I am hoping to be part of those that are “alive and remain” that are transformed in the twinkling of an eye.
1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:51–52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
I liked Guzik’s observations at the end of this chapter:
In all this we see how the work of Jesus is different, yet the same among each individual. If Jesus can touch each need this personally, He can touch our needs the same way.
Jarius had twelve years of sunshine that were about to be extinguished. The woman had twelve years of agony that seemed hopeless to heal.
Jarius was an important man, the ruler of the synagogue. The woman was a nobody. We don’t even know her name.
Jarius was probably wealthy, because he was an important man. The woman was poor because she spent all her money on doctors.
Jarius came publicly. The woman came secretly.
Jarius thought Jesus had to do a lot to heal his daughter. The woman thought all she needed was to touch Jesus’ garment.
Jesus responded to the woman immediately. Jesus responded to Jarius after a delay.
Jarius’ daughter was healed secretly. The woman was healed publicly.
Mark 6:1 ¶ And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
Mark 6:2 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?
Mark 6:3 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.
In Mark’s next snapshot we find Jesus and His disciples in His hometown of Nazareth. When the Sabbath day came, He went to the synagogue to teach. Again, the people were surprised at the wisdom He shared. They wondered at the miracles He was able to do. After all, they knew Him. He was the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Juda and Simon; they also knew His sisters. Instead of receiving Jesus proudly as one of their own, they just couldn’t accept that the lowly carpenter, a man they all knew, could teach them anything.
This is one of the places in scripture that proves that Mary had other children, contrary to Catholic belief. We are told that Jesus had both brothers and sisters.
Commentators point out that the fact that they identified Jesus as the son of Mary was an insult because in that culture the son was always identified through his father, even if he were dead.
Mark 6:4 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.
Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mark 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Jesus declared a sad truth; a prophet’s ministry is least likely to be accepted in his own country and among his own family. I am certainly not comparing myself to a great prophet, but I know from experience this principle to be true.
Because of their unbelief, Jesus was not able to do a mighty work in His hometown; He was only able to lay hands on and heal a few who were sick. Jesus was surprised by their unbelief, especially in light of the miracles He did I think.
He then continued teaching in the surrounding villages.
Mark 6:7 ¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Mark 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
Mark 6:11 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.
In this snapshot, Jesus called His 12 disciples and sent them out on a training mission, giving them authority (through the Holy Spirit) over unclean spirits. He commanded them not to take anything with them—no leather pouch for food, no bread, no money. They were only to carry a staff and wear a pair of sandals and one coat. They were to stay in one home during their stay in each city. If the people of the city did not receive them, they were to shake the dust off their feet as they left, giving testimony against them. Jesus then declared that it would be “more tolerable” for Sodom and Gomorrha in the “day of judgment” than for that city.
I think this experience was like a period of on-the-job training for the disciples in preparation for their ministry after Jesus’ resurrection.
It’s significant to note that the LORD wanted them to go out in faith that He would supply their needs. In the process, they were also to learn to be content with whatever He provided—be it much or little.
Guzik provided an interesting insight: “There was a rule from the Jewish rabbis that you could not enter the temple area with a staff, shoes, or a moneybag, because you wanted to avoid even the appearance of being engaged in any other business than the service of the Lord. The disciples are engaged in such holy work (preaching the gospel and bringing God’s healing) that they can’t give the impression that they have any other motive.”
The last part of verse 11 seems to be making reference to degrees of punishment for those consigned to an eternity in hell apart from the presence of Jesus. I think the day of judgment is a reference to the great white throne judgment, the place where sinners are condemned to eternal punishment.
Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
The disciples then went on their ways, preaching that men should repent of their sins. They were able to cast out many devils and relieve those suffering from possession. They also anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
We have not been told that Jesus anointed people with oil when He healed them. Maybe the disciples were told to do this to show that the source of the healing was distinct from the disciples. It testified to their faith in the LORD to provide healing through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 6:14 ¶ 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.
Mark 6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
King Herod eventually heard about Jesus and reasoned that it must be John the Baptist resurrected from the dead with the ability to perform miracles. Others thought that He was Elijah; still others thought that He was a prophet like the prophets of old.
Mark 6:16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
Mark 6:17 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.
Mark 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
Mark 6:19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
Mark 6:20 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.
Herod was convinced that Jesus was the resurrected John the Baptist whom he had beheaded. We are told that Herod had imprisoned John to please his wife; John had made her furious when he told Herod that he had broken the law by marrying her, his brother’s (Philip’s) wife. Herodias would have killed him if she could have. Herod had a healthy fear of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man, so he preserved his life.
Herod was intrigued by what John had to say. Several other translations are worded similar to the ESV, “When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.”
Mark 6:21 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;
Mark 6:22 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.
Mark 6:23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
Mark 6:24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:25 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.
Mark 6:26 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.
Mark 6:27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark 6:28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Mark notes that Herodias got her revenge on Herod’s birthday. He celebrated by inviting his lords, high captains and some of the leading men of Galilee to dinner. The daughter of Herodias (evidently his niece) came in to dance for them, pleasing Herod and his guests. The king rashly told her she could ask for whatever she wanted as a reward—up to the half of his kingdom. The girl decided to ask her mother’s advice, and she immediately told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. The girl went back to the king and did just that. It grieved Herod that he had made such a rash promise, but pride compelled him to do as she asked. He sent an executioner to the prison to behead John and bring his head to the girl; he did and the girl took it to her mother.
When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his body and buried it.
I will never cease to be amazed and horrified at the atrocities that men and women can perpetrate against other human beings.
Mark 6:30 ¶ And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
Mark 6:31 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.
Mark 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
“apostles” = a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers): — apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
This snapshot shows the 12 disciples, now referenced as apostles, back with Jesus and telling Him all about what they had done and what they had taught. He told them to come with Him to a desert place so that they could rest a while. He wanted to get them away from all the people that were interrupting them to the point that they couldn’t even enjoy a meal. So they departed by ship, hoping to enjoy some quiet time together in a wilderness area.
Mark 6:33 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.
Mark 6:34 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.
It was not to be. Several people who recognized Jesus saw them leave; they saw where the ship was headed and outran the ship and were waiting for Him at the other side. When Jesus got off the ship and saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion for them. The Greek for “compassion” indicates that His heart yearned for them in sympathy. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, and He began to teach them many things.
I am reminded that Jesus had the heart of a shepherd; He even called Himself the good shepherd, one who cares for His sheep so deeply that He was willing to die for them.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Mark 6:35 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:
Mark 6:36 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.
Mark 6:37 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?
Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
Mark 6:39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
Mark 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
Mark 6:41 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.
Mark 6:42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
Mark 6:43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
Mark 6:44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
After a long day of teaching, the disciples came to Jesus and reminded Him that they were in a wilderness area. They suggested that He send the people away so that they could go and find something to eat in the nearby villages. I am sure that they were surprised when Jesus told them to provide food for the people.
Even after all the miracles they had seen Jesus do, and had done themselves, their first thought was: Do you want us to go and buy food for them with the money that we have?
Jesus told them to find out how much bread they could find among the people. They came back and told him that there were five loaves of bread and two fish. John’s gospel tells us that this was a little boy’s lunch.
John 6:8–9 “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”
Jesus then commanded them to make the people sit down on the green grass in groups of 100s and 50s. He took the five loaves and two fish and looked up to heaven and blessed God (in faith, thanking Him in advance for His provision). Next, He broke the loaves of bread and divided the two fish, giving some to each disciple. They were able to sufficiently feed the whole crowd of 5000 men (plus women and children) and had twelve baskets of leftovers.
Matthew 14:20–21 “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.”
I liked this application from Ironside: “We are all too quick to measure God’s ability to meet our needs by that which our eyes can see; instead we should remember that we are dealing with One who created a universe from nothing and sustains it by the word of His power.”
Mark 6:45 ¶ 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.
Mark 6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Mark 6:47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
Mark 6:48 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.
Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
Mark 6:50 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.
Mark 6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
After this amazing miracle, Jesus compelled His disciples to get back into the ship and go to Bethsaida while He sent the people away. He then went alone to a mountain to pray. As evening approached, Jesus saw the disciples working hard to row against a contrary wind.
I liked this application Guzik quoted from Spurgeon: “The Christian man may make little or no headway, and yet it may be no fault of his, for the wind is contrary. Our good Lord will take the will for the deed, and reckon our progress, not by our apparent advance, but by the hearty intent with which we tug at the oars.”
During the 4th watch of the night (between 3-6 a.m.) He came walking on the sea toward them and would have passed them had they not seen Him and cried out in fear. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus immediately assured them that it was just He; they had no need to be afraid. He then went up into ship, and the wind stopped blowing. They were completely amazed! Instead of making a connection with the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the fact that they had seen Him calm the winds and waves once before and responding with greater understanding, their hearts were hardened. The Greek was pretty pointed; it inferred that they were “rendered stupid or callous.”
We know from Matthew’s account (chapter 14) that this was when Peter walked on the water, if only for a few steps, before taking his eyes off Jesus. Just like Peter, if we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on all the effects of sin around us, we will find ourselves sinking with doubt as we try to navigate the storms of this life. Thankfully, just like Peter, the LORD is ever ready to reach out and carry us through those storms if we but ask.
Matthew also tells us that the disciples finally declared that they now knew Jesus was the Son of God.
Matthew 14:33 “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
Mark 6:53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
Mark 6:54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,
Mark 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
Mark 6:56 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.
They made shore at Gennesaret, a place that Easton’s Dictionary identifies as “the Paradise of Galilee”; it was located between Capernaum and Magdala. The people recognized Jesus and quickly spread the news that He was there, so they began bringing the sick to Him. Everywhere He went, they brought the sick and laid them in the streets and asked permission to touch just the border of His garment so that they could be healed. Everyone that touched Him was healed.
I think it is important to recognize that Jesus never turned anyone away that came to Him for physical healing. That established a principle that is just as true for everyone that comes to Him for spiritual healing. He will never turn anyone away that comes to Him in faith and repentance.