Mark 6:30–56
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii1 worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night2 he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
1 A denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer 2 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Section Overview
The feeding of the five thousand (compare with the feeding of the four thousand; Mark 8:1–10) and Jesus’ walking on the water carry on the description of his expanding display of power (cf. 6:31–56). Increasingly, Jesus’ life is in danger, partially on account of his authoritative yet provocative miraculous deeds.
Significantly, the feeding of the five thousand (and later that of the four thousand; 8:1–10) echoes the provision of manna for the people of Israel while traversing the desert (Ex. 16:31; Deut. 8:16). Jesus, the eternal Son of God, gives now what God had provided then. The respective miraculous provisions narrated in the OT and NT constitute unique circumstances (cf. Josh. 5:12) that demonstrate who God really is.
Section Outline
II.C. Work beyond Galilee (6:7–8:26) . . .
2. Miracles (6:30–56)
a. The Feeding of the Five Thousand (6:30–44)
(1) Jesus Seeks Rest (6:30–32)
(2) The Compassion of Jesus (6:33–34)
(3) Dialogue between Jesus and His Disciples (6:35–40)
(4) Jesus Blesses and Multiplies Food (6:41–42)
(5) The Ample Surplus of Food (6:43–44)
b. Jesus Walks on Water (6:45–52)
(1) Jesus Retreats for Prayer (6:45–47)
(2) Jesus Returns to the Troubled Disciples at Sea (6:48–50)
(3) Jesus Stills the Storm (6:51–52)
c. Healing (6:53–56)
Response
In his mind, the reader might feel the need to encourage Jesus’ disciples to trust the power of Christ. God does provide. While the people of Israel, like everyone else, generally worked for their food, God did provide manna during the exceptional time of the exodus. Likewise, Jesus feeds the five thousand while they hungrily listen to his teaching. The contemporary follower of Christ must be careful to recognize that God’s provision might come in the form of an opportunity to learn in school, to work hard and honestly at a trade, or to be able to live a modest and content life. It is important to note that Christ’s fundamental provisions are a thorough transformation of his followers in terms of their attitude toward work, honesty, and simplicity. On account of Jesus’ impact, the laziness, dishonesty, and exploitation of the sinful soul are replaced by God-motivated industry and a transparent quest for honorable work (cf. Eph. 4:28; 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:10–12; 1 Tim. 5:8). Such change needs to occur not only in an individual follower but also in various communities of businesses and settings of employment. In the midst of this, God’s merciful presence may be found in the form of physical and emotional “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:20), as well as in surprising opportunities.
Then and now, Jesus at times brings his followers to the limits of their own resources, materially and emotionally. This is part of the lesson the disciples learn at the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Later, Paul similarly states, “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. . . . But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:8–9). They are to learn to trust him, physically and emotionally. Such trust includes the disciples’ applying themselves to honest and hard work, as well as seeking emotional healing and health by overcoming fear. All the while they are to practice a daily surrendered confidence in the triune God.
While it is understandable that people once again throng to Jesus near Gennesaret because he can heal them (Mark 6:53–56), it is important to remember that Jesus focuses, then and now, on their hearts and attitudes (cf. 6:52; 7:1–10:52). Jesus knows that even miracles do not necessarily move a heart toward trust in the living God. What Jesus says in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, he applies generally: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
Once again, the followers of Jesus are encouraged to face their fears amid the various literal and figurative storms of life. In the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus finds his way to his embattled disciples and says, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50). Then and now, disciples of Christ may face their fears by admitting to them, asking for a soft and willing heart, and praying for the gift of being able to trust in Christ.
A denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer
That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
6:30 This verse picks up the thematic thread of 6:7–13, where the disciples are sent out (cf. 3:14). Verses 14–29 constitute an interjection. In the past, the disciples began to learn and appropriate Jesus’ message and mission by hearing, memorizing, and being transformed in their hearts (see also chs. 7–8). Now they have begun to proclaim, teach (Gk. didaskō), and live out what Jesus proclaims, teaches, and lives (cf. 5:14, 19). There is an echo of this in the OT account of the disciple of the prophet Elisha who is sent to anoint a king and pass on Elisha’s message (2 Kings 9:1–10).
As a third element of their profound learning and appropriation process, the disciples upon their return now report what they have “done,” “taught,” and experienced (cf. Luke 9:10). The latter reinforces their memory and development along with their process of transformation. In all of this, Jesus prepares his disciples, now called “apostles” (i.e., authorized emissaries; cf. 3:15; 6:7), for their unique and unparalleled witness subsequent to his death and resurrection (13:9). Their future teaching (Acts 2:42) reflects, essentially, what they learn under the holistic and memorable tutelage of Jesus.
6:31–32 Repeatedly, Jesus looks for a quiet place to “rest” (Gk. anapauō, “I rest,” “I am refreshed,” “I remain quiet”) together with his returning disciples (see 1:35). The repetition of being “by themselves” at a “desolate [or “empty, lonely”] place” (vv. 31, 32, 35) emphasizes this needed retreat. Deserted places can, at times, be locations of preparation, purification, testing, or temptation (cf. comments on 1:2–5; 1:12–13; 1:35; 1:45). The crowd, however, keeps following them (2:2). Jesus lives and travels with the disciples in the midst of great need (cf. 6:34), but he teaches them not to become so absorbed in—and identified with—the incessant need that they fail to rest, to be restored, or to be alone with him (cf. 3:14). Matthew’s parallel account may seem to have Jesus go by himself (Matt. 14:13), but it is likely, however, that the disciples are with him all along.
6:33–34 Besides the need for a respite, Jesus feels “compassion” (pity) for the needy multitude (cf. 1:41; 5:21, 24, 27, 30–31; 6:55; 8:2; 9:22–23). He views them “like sheep without a [godly] shepherd.” There are many allusions to the motif of shepherds in the OT, such as Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17 (a royal shepherd); 2 Chronicles 18:16; Ezekiel 34:4–5, 8; and Zechariah 10:2. Once again, Jesus teaches (cf. comment on 1:21–22) as the good and true “shepherd” of the souls (Gen. 48:15; Ps. 23:1–4; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 23:4) who summons to repentance and entry into the kingdom of God (cf. John 6:14).
6:35–36 On the surface, the disciples’ request appears reasonable.
6:37–38 Jesus appears to provoke his disciples by challenging them: “You give them something to eat” (cf. John 6:6; John 4:8). This could be the reason for their mildly ironic reply (cf. Mark 5:31). “Two hundred denarii” equals roughly the amount a day laborer could earn in two hundred days. Jesus continues to probe: “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus seeks to teach his disciples to listen to what he says and to trust him for the outcome, even if present resources are slim (five loaves of bread and two fish). In order for this to happen, he must take them to their limits of resources and understanding. Only then will they be in a position to begin to trust and wait upon him.
6:39–40 The addressees of the command in verse 39 may very well be the disciples. If so, the text would be stating that he “commanded them,” that is, the disciples, to see to it that “all” sat down “in groups on the green grass . . . by hundreds and by fifties” (cf. Ex. 18:21, 25; Ps. 23:2). This would reinforce the sense that the disciples have to act on Jesus’ word alone.
6:41–42 Jesus blesses the food (cf. 8:7; 14:22) and personally multiplies it in ongoing dependence upon his heavenly Father (cf. 8:6; 14:22; John 11:41). As the caring shepherd, he “satisfied” them (cf. also 8:19). As God provided manna to the sojourning people of Israel in the desert (Ex. 16:31–35; cf. Pss. 78:18–30; 105:40), so Jesus gives food to a needy people in a deserted area. The reader must notice that Jesus seeks to draw attention not to the miracle itself but rather to the one who performs such a miracle, the one who leads and teaches them. Jesus is not simply a miracle worker or a prophet; he acts in the way in which God acts.
6:43–44 As was the case with Elijah and Elisha, an abundance of food is left over (cf. 1 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 4:7, 42–44).
6:45–47 Jesus insists that his disciples journey ahead of him in the direction of Bethsaida, the former home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (cf. John 1:44). He says this so that he might retreat on a “mountain” to devote himself to personal prayer (cf. comments on 1:35–39; 3:13–15; 14:26–42; cf. also comment on 6:31–32). As verse 53 plausibly notes, they end up in Gennesaret after a stormy crossing (cf. comment on 6:48).
6:48 The “fourth watch” marks the time from roughly 3:00 to 6:00 a.m. Strong northeasterly winds are well known on the Sea of Galilee. After a while, Jesus perceives the disciple’s need and miraculously walks on water toward them. The statement that “he meant to [ēthelen; “he wanted to”] pass by them” does not necessarily say that Jesus himself intended to pass by them (as is the case in Luke 24:28). From the perspective of the disciples, however, Jesus appears as though he intended to pass by them. There are various echoes to this in the OT descriptions of theophanies (e.g., Ex. 33:19, 22; 34:6; 1 Kings 19:11). Jesus appears to the disciples as God appears to Moses (cf. Mark 6:50). Once again, there is a divine dimension to the conduct of Jesus (cf. Job 9:8; Matt. 14:33).
6:49–50 The disciples are overwhelmed (“terrified”) by what they see (cf. Matt. 14:26; Luke 24:37). The fact that they as a group first think “it was a” supernatural “ghost” (Gk. phantasma) adds credibility to the account. Jesus’ comforting words, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (cf. 2:5; 5:36), echo various OT texts (e.g., Isa. 41:4; 43:1; 44:2; 51:12–13). In analogy to God in the OT, Jesus quiets their fearful hearts by identifying himself and exhorting them in the light of his presence to stop fearing (Ex. 14:13; Joel 2:21). As often, the disciples are gripped by fear rather than confident trust (cf. Mark 4:38, 40).
6:51–52 Jesus calms the wind in their presence (cf. 4:35–41). As is often noted, faith and fear are antithetical. The disciples’ astonishment (“they were utterly astounded”) is in response to seeing the power of God (2:12). Nevertheless, hard-heartedness (3:21; 8:17) and fear stand against faith and trust (cf. 8:18–21). Mark tells the reader that the miracle of multiplying the food occurs in order to demonstrate God’s mercy and also to enlarge the disciples’ perception of who Jesus really is. At this point, however, neither the food miracle nor the appearance of Jesus on water broadens their perception of his divine nature and his mission: “They did not understand about the loaves, . . . their hearts were hardened” (cf. 8:18–21; compare with 3:5; 4:12).
6:53 An incidental fact reinforces the historical authenticity of the account. Due to the common northeasterly wind, they have drifted southwestward to the rather densely populated plains of “Gennesaret,” somewhere north of Magdala, instead of their initial direction toward (Gk. pros, “toward”; 6:45) Bethsaida.
6:54–55 By now Jesus has become very popular in Galilee. Whenever he sojourns there, many people come to him (5:6; 6:33), especially to bring “sick people” to the healer.
6:56 As is his habit, Jesus focuses on his central calling of proclaiming the good news in “villages” (e.g., 6:6, 36), “cities” (cf. 1:33, 45; 5:14; 6:33), and the “countryside,” including various country houses (5:14; 6:36). The mention of touching (cf. 3:10) the “fringe of his garment” (cf. Num. 15:38–39; Deut. 22:12) echoes the story of the woman with the discharge of blood (Mark 5:23, 27–28, 30, 31, 34).