Session 5 > Mark 6:7-13,30-32

Session 5 > Mark 6:7-13,30-32 Sends Jesus commissions His followers to point others to Him.

“You want to go where and do what?” My daughter smiled as I asked this question in astonishment. She wasn’t asking to attend some wild party. She wanted to sign up with her college student ministry team to travel overseas to a country that was officially closed to Christian missionaries. The students planned to teach conversational English and basketball to teenagers as a bridge to sharing their Christian testimonies. The dangers were apparent to her mother and me, but that did not deter our daughter. We talked frankly about some of the challenges, including the potential perils for the students and the difficulty of raising money for travel. Nothing dissuaded her. Her heart was fixed, convinced that God was calling her to go. We prayed together and agreed that if God opened the door for her to go, we would support her. In time, she received enough financial support not only to cover her travel expenses but also to help with other students’ expenses. God graciously protected the student team during their journey and brought them home safely. That trip helped confirm to our daughter—not to mention her parents— that God was calling her to serve Him as a missionary. Today, our missionary daughter and son-in-law (and our grandchildren) live sixteen time zones away from us, sharing and living out the gospel message in a nation that is almost completely unchurched. It sometimes saddens my wife and me to be able to see them only by means of electronic video-conferencing. Still, we have never doubted or regretted our daughter’s obedience to God’s call. This session’s focus is on Jesus’ sending out His disciples on a gospel mission. The study emphasizes that God wants all believers to participate in taking the good news of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. Whether among our families, friends, neighbors, or work associates, we as Christians encounter numerous opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. Also, like our daughter’s experience as a college student, sometimes the Lord directs us by His Spirit to intentionally go to specific places and people far away to share the gospel. This worldwide gospel advance continues the mission that Jesus began with His first disciples.

MARK 6:1–7:23 Jesus and His disciples continued to travel throughout the towns and villages of Galilee. Although Jesus continued to attract crowds wanting to hear Him teach and see Him heal, He also encountered unbelief and opposition. The events reported in this section of Mark’s Gospel highlight the mixed reactions Jesus received. In 6:1-6, Mark reported a visit that Jesus and His disciples made to His boyhood home, Nazareth. Jesus taught in the synagogue there, but the worshipers were skeptical of Him and disbelieved the reports of His miracles. Because of their unbelief, Jesus performed only a few healings in Nazareth. Mark 6:7-13 describes the disciples’ first efforts in carrying out Jesus’ message and ministry. Jesus instructed them on what to say and do; then He sent them out in pairs to minister in His name and with His authority. They experienced the amazing results of Jesus’ power as they preached, expelled evil spirits, and administered healing to the sick. In 6:14-29, the Gospel writer inserted an account of John the Baptist’s death at the hands of Herod Antipas. Mark had previously noted John’s arrest in connection with the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry (1:14). In the context of Mark 6, John’s execution already had occurred. It explains, however, the reason Herod believed that Jesus was John the Baptist having returned from the dead. Mark 6:30-43 reports one of Jesus’ best-known miracles, the feeding of at least five thousand people using only five loaves of bread and two fish. He performed this miracle of provision in the context of an all-day teaching event. A crowd of people had followed Jesus and His disciples to a place they went for a time of rest. Jesus had great compassion for the people, who appeared to Him as sheep without a shepherd. Following the miraculous feeding of the crowd, Jesus directed His disciples to board a boat returning across the sea toward the town of Bethsaida. He planned to dismiss the crowd and then meet the disciples later after a time of prayer. As the disciples were crossing the sea, a storm arose and threatened to capsize their boat. Jesus walked on the water to the boat and calmed the storm (6:45-52). This amazing event was followed by a period of miraculous works Jesus performed throughout the region of Galilee (6:53-56). In 7:1-23, Mark described the rising opposition that Jesus encountered from the scribes and Pharisees. These groups accused Jesus and His disciples of ignoring long-standing religious traditions. Jesus used Old Testament quotations and parables to call out the scribes’ and Pharisees’ hypocrisy.

SENT BY JESUS (Mark 6:7) Jesus appointed twelve of His disciples to be apostles, a word that means “sent-out ones” (see 3:14-19). For a time these select men traveled with Jesus and observed as He taught, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits, and exercised authority over the forces of nature. All the while, Jesus was preparing the Twelve to go on mission in His name. The time had come for them to put into practice what they had learned and received from their Master.

VERSE 7 He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. Jesus summoned the Twelve. The Greek word rendered summoned (“called,” KJV; ESV) literally means “to call to oneself.” The term does not necessarily mean the twelve apostles were in different locations at this time. More likely, it simply describes Jesus’ decision to move the apostles to the next level in their discipleship. The time had come for the apostles to go on short-term ministry ventures in His name. Additional followers of Christ would also participate in ministry efforts at a later time (see Luke 10:1-2). First, however, Jesus focused on the twelve apostles. They (except for Judas) would become the leaders of the gospel movement after Jesus’ ascension; some would become writers of the New Testament Scriptures. The phrase began to send them out may indicate that Jesus did not deploy all twelve apostles at one time but instead sent out teams on a staggered basis over a short period of time. Regardless, the main emphasis of verse 7 is that the apostles did not initiate these ministry excursions on their own. They went out at their Master’s command and in His name. Jesus organized the ministry teams in pairs. In this approach, no apostle traveled and worked alone. Each apostle had a companion apostle along for encouragement, counsel, and protection. Had they been organized in larger groups, however, fewer villages might have been reached and adequate lodging might have been more difficult to secure. As a precursor to the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in believers (see Acts 2:4), Jesus gave the apostles authority (“power,” KJV) over unclean spirits. The Greek word rendered authority refers to conferred spiritual or moral power to command. Jesus knew that the ministry teams would face strong opposition from people who were controlled by unclean spirits (“impure spirits,” NIV). As they encountered this opposition, the apostles needed to

52 Explore the Bible © 2019 LifeWay remember they were ministering in their Lord’s name and authority, not their own. They had observed as Jesus was victorious in spiritual warfare against numerous and various manifestations of evil: disease, demon possession, unbelief, and hypocrisy, to name a few. The apostles would experience similar victories only if they served with the spiritual authority Jesus gave them. What encouragement this passage offers to believers today as well! Those of us who seek to serve others in Jesus’ name can do so with confidence. We are never alone when we face spiritual opposition in its many manifestations. The Holy Spirit goes with us and empowers us to minister in the name and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.

EXPLORE FURTHER How could your Bible study group utilize a “two-by-two” approach to serve others? When have you encountered opposition to Jesus and the gospel in your efforts to serve? What gave you confidence to persevere despite the opposition you faced?

EQUIPPED BY JESUS (Mark 6:8-11) As Jesus sent His apostles on ministry assignments, He told them to carry minimal provisions. They were to trust God to provide for them through the hospitality of townspeople. If they found no hospitality or encountered widespread rejection in a village, they were to leave with a clear conscience.

VERSE 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a staff— no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts, Jesus instructed (“commanded,” KJV; “charged,” ESV) His apostles to take nothing for the road. In Mark’s Gospel, one personal item was permitted: a staff. Staffs were walking sticks usually made from cut saplings or limbs. They could also serve as a means of defense against wild animals or bandits. In the parallel accounts of this instruction in Matthew 10:10 and Luke 9:3, even a staff was prohibited. The minor variances in the accounts may reflect different apostles’ recollections. In any case, all of the accounts emphasize that Jesus wanted His apostles to trust explicitly in God’s protection and provision as they went out in His name and under His authority. The apostles were instructed to takeno bread, no traveling bag, and no money in their belts. The Greek word rendered traveling bag (“scrip,” KJV;

Session 5: Sends 53 © 2019 LifeWay “bag,” ESV; NIV) could refer either to a beggar’s bag or a type of knapsack in which a few provisions could be stored. It is unlikely, however, that Jesus wanted the apostles to appear as beggars. Such an appearance would have been counterproductive to their mission. Jesus’ purpose was not merely to have the disciples preach and prepare the way for His upcoming ministry in these towns. He wanted them to learn to depend on God’s provision. Their faith needed to grow, and obedience to Jesus’ instructions would demonstrate their growing faith.

VERSE 9 but to wear sandals and not put on an extra shirt. Continuing His instruction, Jesus permitted the apostles to wear sandals, but they were not to don extra clothing. The phrasean extra shirt (“two coats,” KJV; “two tunics,” ESV) typically refers to the tunic, or undergarment, that a man wore underneath an outer robe. Interestingly, sandals also are prohibited in the parallel account in Matthew’s Gospel (Matt. 10:10). One explanation of this variance is that the prohibition in Matthew’s account refers to not carrying a second pair of sandals. Again, despite the minor variations, the emphasis of Jesus’ instructions in all of the Gospel accounts is the same: Trust God to provide what you need when you are doing His work.

VERSE 10 He said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. Extending hospitality to needy travelers and sojourners was a hallmark of many ancient Near Eastern cultures. God commanded His people in the law to show kindness to foreign sojourners (see Lev. 19:33-34). Such hospitality included providing food and temporary shelter for needy travelers. Jesus’ instructions to His apostles presumed such an expectation when He used the phrase whenever you enter a house. The apostles were to respect their hosts by not moving from home to home. They were to stay (“abide,” KJV) in the original location until they moved on to another village. While the Jewish culture in Jesus’ day was generally more hospitable than modern cultures, the apostles’ ministry schedule likely meant they did not remain in one house more than a few days.

VERSE 11 If any place does not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

54 Explore the Bible © 2019 LifeWay One important aspect of Jesus’ instructions related to the apostles’ purpose. In each town, they were to preach the gospel of the kingdom and prepare for Jesus’ future arrival. Jesus gave them authority to overcome demonic spirits, indicating that the apostles would have to engage in spiritual warfare even as they ministered to the needy. Should the people of a particular village not welcome them or listen to their message, the apostles were not to debate the issues. They were to proclaim the good news, not engage in arguments with skeptics who rejected them. Jesus’ reference to any place referred not to individual homeowners but rather to the general populace. Jesus knew that some villages might not welcome or listen to the apostles. Jesus’ approach was to go where people were open to Him and the gospel message. He never forced Himself on anyone. If people refused to accept the apostles’ message, they were, in effect, rejecting Jesus. At the same time, Jesus often warned unbelievers about the consequences of refusing Him and His gospel. He later pronounced a series of prophetic judgments against cities in which unbelief was prevalent (see Matt. 11:20- 24). In this regard, Jesus instructed the apostles to shake the dust off their feet when they left a town that refused to receive them. This action was a common way of expressing separation. In the case of the apostles, this action would also serve as a testimony against the people who rejected Jesus’ message and His messengers. Some Bible scholars view this act as a witness given to warn the people of their need to accept Jesus and His gospel. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their sandals when they were forced to leave Antioch of Pisidia. Initially, the townspeople received the missionaries with favor. Later, however, some unbelieving Jews stirred up opposition, and the town’s leaders expelled the missionaries (Acts 13:42-51). Throughout the centuries, Jesus’ followers have been received gladly by some and rejected brutally by others. Obeying Jesus’ call to serve others in His name does not guarantee that we will be treated well in every place. We can be confident, however, that He will be with us through the Spirit and will provide everything we need to do His work.

EXPLORE FURTHER Read the article titled “Hospitality” on pages 771–772 in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Revised and Expanded. How did the traditions of hospitality impact the apostles’ travels? What aspects of the apostles’ limited provisions forced them to rely not only on people’s hospitality but also, and more importantly, on God’s grace and spiritual provisions?

VERSE 12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. The twelve apostles ministered in Jesus’ name, thereby extending His ministry. They did not question the reason Jesus disallowed their taking additional provisions for the journeys. The text simply reveals their obedience with the words so they went out. When Jesus initially called the disciples, He called them to follow Him. Their willingness to leave their jobs and homes was predicated on their being drawn to Jesus. In this situation, however, Jesus sent the apostles out from Him and in His name, albeit for only a short time. Both their coming to Him and going out for Him required faith. As they came to each town, the apostles preached (“proclaimed,” ESV) Jesus’ message to the people. The Greek term rendered preached means “to proclaim as a herald.” A herald spoke only under the authority of a master and could relay only the master’s message. In this case, the apostles proclaimed Jesus’ message about the kingdom, including that people should repent. The message of repentance was the same call given by the Old Testament prophets, by John the Baptist, and by Jesus Himself. The word translated repent literally means “to turn.” By extension, the concept of repentance involves a turning of one’s heart and soul away from sin and self toward God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Repentance necessitates a change of attitude that results in a transformation of behavior.

VERSE 13 They drove out many demons, anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. While the apostles’ primary focus was on preaching Christ’s message and preparing people for His coming, they also engaged in casting out demons (“devils,” KJV) from people and in healing the sick. Jesus had prepared them for spiritual warfare by giving them power over the forces of the devil. The message of the gospel was (and is) powerful. The apostles’ preaching exposed the presence of demonic activity among the people. The Greek term rendered drove out (“cast out,” KJV; ESV) suggests that the evil spirits did not leave their hosts voluntarily. Instead, the apostles had to depend on the spiritual authority Jesus gave them to overcome and expel the evil spirits. Sick people also came to the apostles for help. The fact that the apostles anointed the people with oil followed a common practice. In Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, the rescuer used oil as part of his treatment of the victim’s wounds (Luke 10:34). In the early church, James instructed the

56 Explore the Bible © 2019 LifeWay elders of a church to anoint the sick with oil as they prayed for them (Jas. 5:14). The apostles employed the practice of anointing the sick with oil as a symbol of Christ’s healing power. God often used such miracles in the New Testament period to give Christ’s followers openings to preach the gospel. Although such miraculous acts might not be the norm for believers today, Christ still empowers His followers to preach and act in His name. We have Christ’s authority to deliver His gospel and proclaim its power to deliver us from our worst sickness: sin.

EXPLORE FURTHER Read the article titled “Repentance” on pages 1344–1345 in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Revised and Expanded. What is the relationship between the gospel of the kingdom and repentance? In what ways did the apostles’ message also require a response of faith?

RESTING WITH JESUS (Mark 6:30-32) Mark’s Gospel does not detail the apostles’ experiences as they traveled throughout Galilee. In 6:14-29, Mark interjected an explanation of John the Baptist’s martyrdom at the hands of Herod Antipas. He did so because the apostles’ preaching about Jesus led Herod to conclude Jesus was John the Baptist having come back from the dead. Following this explanation, Mark then reported on the results of the apostles’ ministry.

VERSE 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. Having been sent to numerous villages and towns, the apostles may have returned to Jesus and their home base at different times. Their mission helped fulfill their identity as “sent-out ones.” The first apostles held a unique place in Jesus’ ministry, but they were not the last believers to be sent out to proclaim the gospel and prepare people to encounter Jesus Christ. In some ways, today’s Christian missionaries share a similar work in being sent out by the Lord to reach new people groups with His gospel. Upon returning to their home base, the apostles gathered around Jesus (“returned to Jesus,” ESV). Undoubtedly, the men were excited about the events of their journeys. They understood that Jesus was the source of all the successes they experienced. Their preaching had been about Him as

Session 5: Sends 57 © 2019 LifeWay they urged people to repent and believe the gospel. Christ was the center of their lives ever since they had left everything to follow Him. It isn’t difficult to picture Jesus’ welcoming His apostles with open arms and a broad smile. As faithful heralds, the apostles reported to Jesus all that they had done and taught. They celebrated as they enthusiastically shared their experiences. The phrase all they had done referred to their experiences of healing sick people and delivering others from their bondage to evil spirits. Jesus had given the apostles His authority for engaging in the spiritual warfare He knew they would encounter. They understood that all these miraculous deeds were the result of Christ’s power working in and through them. Following Jesus’ instructions, the apostles had taught the message of repentance in context of the kingdom of God, just as they had heard Him preach. This teaching would not have focused on intellectual knowledge or theological doctrine alone. The goal of Jesus’ teaching, and the purpose of the apostles’ ministry, was to see lives transformed by the gospel.

VERSE 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. Some people are so task-oriented that their response to success is to move on immediately to the next task. Jesus was as concerned for the apostles’ personal well-being as He was for their spiritual accomplishments. How long the apostles had been away on their ministry ventures is not specified, but they surely would have been weary from their travels and work. Even after the apostles had returned to Jesus, many people were coming and going as they sought Jesus’ help. Presumably, the apostles were constantly involved in helping the people who sought Jesus’ attention. The pace of ministry was so demanding they did not even have time to eat. The scene was reminiscent of the situation that developed before Jesus’ family came to inquire about Him (see Mark 3:20). Jesus thus instructed the apostles to come away … and rest for a while. Although they had just returned from their journeys, if they remained where they were then they would have been continually inundated with needy people. Jesus offers His followers not only a purpose for life but also abundant life within the context of that purpose. Jesus knew that the apostles needed some time to recover. The phrase by yourselves indicates the private nature of the apostles’ retreat. They needed time apart from the crowds without the constant demands on their time and energy. At the same time, the phrase for a while

58 Explore the Bible © 2019 LifeWay indicates the apostles were not to retreat permanently into isolation. They simply needed a temporary respite. Their destination was a remote place (“desert place,” KJV; “desolate place,” ESV; “quiet place,” NIV), away from the cities and crowds. Jesus often retreated to places of solace in mountains, deserts, or wilderness locations. In this case, He not only wanted the apostles to rest, but He may have desired time as well for reflecting on the death of John the Baptist (see Matt. 14:12-13).

VERSE 32 So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place, As with many of their journeys, Jesus and His disciples went away in the boat. Perhaps this was the same small ship they had used previously to travel across the Sea of Galilee to the region of the Gerasenes and back (see Mark 5:1,21). The vessel may have belonged to one of the families of the fishermen who had become Jesus’ disciples. The phrase went away (“departed,” KJV) does not carry a sense of urgency; rather, it suggests the group moved deliberately and steadily toward their objective. Spending time alone with Jesus in a remote place would have been a peaceful prospect for the apostles. Their destination was an isolated mountainous area near the town of Bethsaida on the northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee (see Luke 9:10). The apostles had experienced the excitement and energy of a fast-paced ministry. They no doubt looked forward to some quieter moments with their Lord. We learn from Mark 6:33 that a crowd followed Jesus and His apostles to their place of retreat. They did not escape the pressing demands of needy people. Still, being with Jesus in the middle of a hectic schedule is more restful than sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch without Him. Jesus not only calls us to serve Him but also bids us to find rest and renewal in communion with Him. Having time to reflect on Christ’s work in and through our lives prepares us for the next opportunities of service. We can be grateful that He is as interested in our time alone with Him as He is with our busy activities for Him.

EXPLORE FURTHER Read Hebrews 4:1-11. How does Jesus’ invitation to the disciples to join Him in resting compare to entering into God’s rest described in Hebrews? How do we as believers find rest in Christ today?