Jesus Is Rejected in Nazareth, Then Sends His Twelve Disciples Out to Preach; Beheading of John the Baptist

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 6:1) And He went out from there and came into His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

At the end of the last chapter Jesus had just healed the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue at the ruler's house in Capernaum.  He now went from Capernaum to His own land around Nazareth.  Nazareth was said to be Jesus's own city because He had been conceived there and had been educated there.  He had regard for it as His hometown.  His disciples followed Him there.

(2) And when the Sabbath day had come, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?"

When the Sabbath day had come, Jesus began teaching at the synagogue in Nazareth.  Many of the people hearing Him teach marveled and were astonished at His teaching.  They wondered where He had gotten such ideas and wisdom.  They recognized that He had some power to perform miracles and wondered what gave Him such power and wisdom.

(3) "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.

Although the people marveled, they recognized that Jesus was the carpenter, the son of Mary, who had grown up with them.  Matthew had stated in his account that Jesus was the carpenter's Son, but it is perfectly reasonable to believe that Jesus had worked in His earthly father's trade in His younger years.  The fact that Mary was mentioned and not Joseph, might mean that Mary was a widow by then.  James, Joses, Judah, and Simon might have been the half-brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary and Joseph, but they might also have been close kinsmen, close enough to be called brothers.  The point is that these people knew Jesus's roots and His family.  They knew His sisters who were still among them.  They became offended that "one of them" should now claim this apparent spiritual superiority over them.  At least that is the way they probably saw it.  Seeing Him grow up with them and knowing His family, they could not or would not believe who He truly was, and by what power and wisdom He did the things He did.

(4) But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house."

Jesus somewhat pardoned their ignorance.  He recognized that the primary place a prophet was without honor and respect as a prophet was among the people with whom he had grown up and his own family and household.  However, that did not completely excuse them.  Jesus recognized that it might be harder for them to believe and be saved, just as it is harder for a rich man to be saved (Matthew 19:24) or for a good man (1 Peter 4:18).  His own people find it hard to believe, a rich man finds it hard to give up his money, and a "good" man doesn't see his need as a sinner.  It might be harder, but not impossible, and it is necessary to be saved only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.  

(5) And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick folk and healed them.

It's not that Jesus was unable to do mighty miracles because of the people's unbelief, but the purpose of miracles is to bring people to a saving belief in Christ.  If people were not receptive to His message, then Jesus was not about vain show.  He knew the hearts and minds of those people before He spoke and knew whether or not they would be receptive of His teaching.  He concluded it was useless to perform a mighty work there.  However, Jesus did have mercy on a few sick people and healed them.

(6) And He marveled because of their unbelief.  And He went round about the villages, teaching.

Jesus the man could not help but be amazed at the unbelief of His very own people.  There He was offering grace and eternal life, and the people were too stubborn to even listen.  So Jesus went around to the surrounding villages and taught.  

(7) And He called the twelve and began to send them forth two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Himself and sent them out in pairs to preach and teach the Gospel.  By sending out two together, they would be able to support and encourage each other.  Besides, there was that scriptural adage that a thing was established if out of the mouth of two or three.  Jesus gave His disciples the power over unclean spirits.  In the last chapter, we were told of Jesus's innate nature to heal and drive out evil spirits.  The disciples were not able to drive out spirits of their own power, but Jesus gave them that power.  That squashes the notion of faith teachers that we can all heal and exorcise demons if we have enough faith.  It is only if it is within God's will and He gives us that power, and the Holy Spirit so directs us; then it is actually Him doing the healing or exorcism.

This reminds me of something I personally witnessed.  I was in a women's mentoring group, and prayer was asked for a sick member.  One woman prayed humbly that if it was in God's will, would He please heal that woman.  Another woman, apparently not pleased with the path of her prayer, interrupted and began praying that she knew God wanted that woman healed and therefore she demanded that sickness leave that woman's body.  She presumed to know the mind of God!  I've been in Word of Faith groups before, and they take scripture and claim every one as a promise for us all, and therefore think they know what God wants at any given moment.  As a result, they think they have the right to demand it.  What they fail to realize is that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).  There may be a greater purpose in allowing a person to suffer with an illness.  There may be countless people saved because they see the faith and joy and peace of Christians regardless of their apparent hopeless situations.  I have a personal testimony regarding my husband that attests to that.  My husband was blind; he actually regained slight vision and then lost it totally again.  He had a weak heart and countless other medical problems resulting from a terrible car crash when he was younger.  His parents had been told on countless occasions that he would not make it through the night.  He was always in a lot of pain and normal daily activities seemed a struggle.  His heart finally did give out and he is no longer with me, but I cannot tell you how many people he touched just by his humble life and soft-spoken words.  And he always gave glory to God for all the little things.  People saw that and continue to tell me what an inspiration he was.  Just by living with all his infirmities and continuing in faith and love, he was an inspiration!  If countless more people were saved observing his life than would have been if he had not gone through it all, then which is the good thing?  Our selfish afraid of adversity selves would say the good thing would be to be immediately healed!  But what if it is God's purpose for our lives that we persevere in adversity so that others may see the hope within us and be saved?  We can't all be preachers and missionaries.  But if we perform our purposes with willing and glad hearts, there is great reward in heaven.  And this life on earth is just a blip in the whole of eternity.  As it says in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

(8) And commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff only, no bag, no bread, no money.

Jesus commanded His disciples to take nothing with them as they went forth two by two, except for a staff, which probably served as a walking aid.  They were to be about their work and not concerned with their "things."  God would provide.

(9) But be shod with sandals and not put on two coats.

They were to wear sandals but were not to take extra clothes.  Again, all their needs would be provided.  

(10) And He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, abide there till you depart from that place."

Jesus further instructed His disciples.  In whatever city or town they went to, when they were invited in to stay at a house, they were to stay there until they left that city or town.  That was to be their headquarters, so to speak.  They weren't to go from house to house throughout the town spending the nights in different places.  There was wisdom in that command, as there always is with Christ's commands.  Once they were welcomed into a place, it should only increase the pleasure of their hosts to be a small part of their great work; and the time it would take to find another place to stay and settle into there would only take away from their work.  Jesus would make sure they were welcomed into the right place in the beginning!

(11) "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

If the disciples came to a city where no one would receive them into their houses or even listen to them, Jesus told them that when they left that city, they were to shake off the dust of that city's ground as a testimony against them.  They had been in that city's ground but now shook it off, leaving that city completely behind that had rejected the Gospel.  Jesus went on to say that in the day of judgment still to come, judgment on the city that rejected the disciples and their gospel message would be more severe than it would be for even Sodom and Gomorrah.

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

The disciples went out as Jesus sent them forth, two by two, preaching that men should repent of their sinful ways.

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

The disciples were able to cast out devils with the power Jesus had given them.  They anointed the sick with oil which was a common custom among the Jews as it might have a soothing effect on the body.  In the case of the disciples, they also healed the sick by the power given them by Jesus.

(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 show forth themselves in him."

King Herod began to hear of Jesus and the fame of His works.  He thought that it must have been John the Baptist risen from the dead.  I suppose his reasoning was that if John had the power to rise from the dead, he would have the power to do miracles.

(15) Others said, "That is Elijah." And others said, "That is a prophet or like one of the prophets."

Other people thought it was Elijah whom the Jews did expect to come before the Messiah.  Still others said it was one of the old prophets risen up, or a new prophet who had been raised up with the same power as the old prophets.

(16) But when Herod heard, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead."

When Herod heard the opinions of others, he rejected them.  He was sure it was John the Baptist whom he had had beheaded.  Obviously, his conscience was bothering him for having so good a man beheaded, and he was sure John had come back from the dead.

(17) For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for Herodias's sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her. (18) For John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

More detail is given about how Herod came to have John beheaded, and why his conscience might be bothering him.  Herod had taken his brother's wife, Herodias, as his own.  John had told Herod that it was unlawful for him to do so, so he had had John seized and bound in prison for Herodias's sake, and honor, as I suppose he would have thought it.

(19) Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him, but she could not.

Prison for John was not good enough for Herodias.  She wanted him killed, but it was not in her power to do so.

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

Herodias had surely petitioned Herod to have John killed, but Herod feared John because he knew he was a just and holy man.  He kept him in prison, but observed him, listening to what he had to say.  He did many things and listened to John gladly.  We aren't told what many things he did, but it seems to be in reference to the things John was telling him that he received gladly.  However, we know that he did not fully embrace John's message as he continued to keep his brother's wife as his own.

(21) And when a convenient day had come when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chiefs of Galilee; (22) And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the damsel, "Ask of me whatever you will and I will give it to you."

An opportune time came for Herodias when it was Herod's birthday and he held a supper for all his nobles and chief officers.  The daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and the men who sat with him.  He was so pleased with her performance that he told her he would grant her whatever she wished; she needed merely to ask.

(23) And he swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Herod went all out and swore an oath to Herodias's daughter that whatever she asked, he would give her, up to half his kingdom.  That's quite a reward for a dance!

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

Herodias's daughter asked her mother what she should ask for, and she told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist.  That woman could surely hold a grudge, for John had been in prison for almost two years, say Biblical scholars.  She probably didn't like the fact that Herod seemed to enjoy listening to John.

(25) And she came in right away with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want that you give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

Indeed, Herodias's daughter went immediately in to King Herod and asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

(26) And the king was exceedingly sorry, but for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

King Herod was very sorry he had opened his big mouth, so to speak, to offer the girl anything she desired.  However, because he had sworn an oath, and because he had done it in front of all his guests, he would not refuse the girl her request.

(27) And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in prison.

The king sent an executioner to the imprisoned John, and commanded that he bring John's head to him.  The executioner indeed beheaded John in his prison.

(28) And brought his head on a platter and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

The executioner brought John's head on a platter and gave it to Herodias's daughter, and she, in turn, gave it to her mother.  And that explained why Herod was haunted by his killing of a good and holy man for a dance!

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

When John's disciples heard about what had happened to him, they came to the prison and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

As this is a rather long chapter with rather long commentary, I will end this post here and continue Mark 6 in the next.

Christ's Innate Nature to Heal and Restore Life

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 5:21) And when Jesus had passed over again by ship to the other side, many people gathered to Him, and He was near to the sea.

Jesus left the Gadarenes as He had been asked to do and sailed by ship back to the other side again, to Capernaum.  He came onto the shore and many people gathered around Him.  

(22) And behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet.

From among the crowd that gathered around Jesus, there came to Him one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus.  When he saw Jesus, he fell down at His feet.

(23) And beseeched Him greatly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death; I pray You, come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live."

Jairus begged Jesus to come with him.  His daughter was at the point of death, and he begged Jesus to come with him to lay His healing hands on her, that she might be healed and live.

(24) And Jesus went with him, and many people followed Him and thronged Him.

Jesus indeed went with the man, and a multitude of people followed after Him and crowded Him.

(25) And there was a certain woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years.

Among the people who crowded around Jesus was a woman who had had an issue with bleeding for twelve years.  This issue of blood would have made her unclean in the eyes of the Jewish law for twelve years.  That is a perfect example of what sin does to a person.  Our sin makes us constantly and indefinitely unclean in the presence of God.

(26) And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and nothing was bettered but rather grew worse.

The woman had sought treatment from many doctors, spending all the money she had to be cured, but nothing had made her condition better; it had only worsened.

(27) When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the crowd behind and touched His garment.

When the woman had heard of the fame of Jesus and the miracles He wrought, she worked herself up through the crowd from behind to merely touch His garment.  She, perhaps, having spent twelve years being shunned, considered unclean, did not dare confront Him face to face, or perhaps she was just grabbing at Him the best she could from within the crowd.

(28) For she said, "If I may touch only His clothes, I shall be whole."

Regardless of what reason it was that brought her to touch only Jesus's clothes, the woman had faith that the mere touch to His garments would make her whole again.

(29) And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Immediately upon touching Jesus's garment, the woman's issue of blood was dried up, and she indeed felt whole and well again.  That is remarkable.  There was no conscious effort of Jesus to heal the woman, although we know that Jesus knew what was happening.  Just touching what was touching Him was enough to completely heal the woman on the spot!  I think that shows us that no matter how unworthy we feel we are in His presence, whatever move we make toward Jesus, if done with a faithful heart, Jesus will respond willingly to save us.

(30) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"

Jesus, of course, knew immediately that the woman had touched His garments and had been healed.  It was not from some diminishing of His virtue or strength that He knew.  He knew a healing had taken place and that had been from His very essence, an internal omnipresent virtue in Him to cure diseases.  He turned around in the crowd and asked who had touched His clothes, knowing full well who had touched them, but doing this for the witnesses to the miracle.

(31) And His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, "Who touched Me?'"

Jesus's disciples incredulously replied to Him that there was a whole crowd of people pressing against Him; how could He ask who it was who touched Him?

(32) And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. (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.

Jesus looked around and spotted the woman who had touched Him and had been healed.  She was very afraid and trembling.  She knew she had been healed, and she, in her unclean self, had dared to touch Jesus's garment to get that healing.  However, she came forth to Jesus, fell down before Him, and confessed all she had done and what was done for her.

(34) And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace and be whole from your plague."

Jesus told the woman that her faith had healed her.  Of course, that meant faith in the One who could heal, not faith in itself.  I can't help but think that is where some Word of Faith believers miss the point.  They seem to act as though it is the faith itself that produces results.  "If only I had faith enough, it would have happened..."  I've got news for them.  If it is God's will, it will happen with or without your faith!  Likewise, if it is not in God's will, it will not happen, faith that it will happen or not!  Our faith is in Christ alone!  That woman had great faith in Him, yes, knowing He would heal, and that was fully within His will to do so.  He told her to go in peace, and not be afraid, and be whole and enjoy her healing from her plague.

(35) While He was still speaking, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain ones who said, "Your daughter is dead! Why trouble the Master any further?"

Jesus had been on His way to heal Jairus's daughter when He was interrupted by this woman with the blood issue.  He had been delayed, and now came word that Jairus's daughter had died and therefore, there was no further need to inconvenience Jesus.

(36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Be not afraid, only believe."

Jesus heard the message that was sent that Jairus's daughter had died, but He told him not to be afraid, but keep the faith, so to speak.  You can bet Jesus's delay was purposeful to demonstrate His power.

(37) And He permitted no man to follow Him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

Jesus would not allow anyone to accompany Him to the ruler's house, except Peter, James, and John.  It was probably much easier than normal to disperse the crowd because they had likely heard the word that the little girl was already dead.  Probably Jesus did not want a huge crowd because He was humble and did not desire the applause of men; however, He took enough witnesses to make what would happen next "truth."  "In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Matthew 18:16)

(38) And He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult and those who wept and wailed greatly.

Jesus came into Jairus's house and saw all the people within the house, friends and relatives, weeping and wailing over the passing of the little girl.

(39) And when He had come in, He said to them, "Why make this ado and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleeping."

When Jesus came into the house, he asked the crowd why they were making such a fuss and weeping and wailing.  He told them the little girl was not dead, but only sleeping.

(40) And they laughed at Him in scorn. But when He had put them all out, He took the father and the mother of the damsel, and those who were with Him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.

Not realizing just who had addressed them, the people laughed and ridiculed Jesus for saying the girl was only sleeping.  Jesus, in turn, turned them out of the house.  I do believe there is a good lesson in this and also when Jesus dispersed the crowd from following Him to Jairus's house.  We don't need to have a group of naysayers and non-believers around us in such a moment.  We want believers and God-fearing folk with faith to support and uplift us.  We don't want to be drug down and have our faith diminished by those who don't believe.  A good model of this in the Old Testament was the Shunammite woman in Kings 4.  Elisha, through the power of God, had given her a son, but her son died.  She went straight to Elisha to deal with her problem.  Her husband and the servant of Elisha both asked about her concerns, and she told them both she was fine, even though she surely was not fine, but there was no need to tell her problems to those people who could not help her, and especially in the case of her husband, might even try to stop her.  

After Jesus had put all the naysayers out of Jairus's house, He, the parents of the girl, and the three disciples with Him went into where the girl lay.

(41) And He took the damsel by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cumi," which being interpreted is, "Damsel, I say to you, arise."

Jesus took the little girl's hand and told her to arise.  "Talitha cumi," Jesus's actual words are written here, and they literally mean, "Damsel, arise."  "I say to you" was a parenthetical phrase added by Mark to show it was by Jesus's own authority and power over death that He told her to rise up.

(42) And immediately the damsel arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Indeed, the little girl got up and walked.  Mark made it a point to say that she could indeed walk because she was, after all, twelve years old.  Of course, all who witnessed this miracle were utterly amazed.

(43) And He charged them strictly that no man should know it, and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Once again, Jesus commanded that they not tell anyone of the miracle.  Once again, I say that would be a hard thing to obey, when so many had seen the little girl dead.  However, Jesus did not want it spread far and wide as it was not the time to further enrage the scribes and Pharisees against Him.  He additionally commanded them to get the girl something to eat.  In this, He was letting the parents know that she was restored completely to human life with all the needs of it.  

With these two miracles, we see the innate nature of Christ to heal and to restore life.  He had power over sickness and even death.  Sin is a sickness with which we all suffer and the consequence of that is death, but Jesus came to conquer that death and to give us an abundant life:

"The thief comes not, but to steal and to kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." (Jesus's words in John 10:10)

Jesus Heals the Man with a Legion of Demons

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 5:1) And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus had suggested to His disciples that they leave the shore at Capernaum and go across the Sea of Galilee to the other side.  That is what they did, and they now arrived at the shore in the country of the Gadarenes.  This appears to be the same country as of the Gergesenes and the Gerasenes.  Whether these are misspellings of the same country or whether more than one tribe of people lived within the country, I don't know, but that is not what is important.  The basic fact is that they left Capernaum and sailed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

(2) And when He had come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (3) Who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no man could bind him, not even with chains.

As soon as Jesus had landed and came out of the ship, He was met by a man who came from among tombs who had an unclean or evil spirit.  He apparently lived among the tombs, and no one was able to bind him.  John Gill, in his Exposition of the Bible, made an interesting point.  Did the man get the unclean spirit because he lived among the tombs, or did he live among the tombs because he had an unclean spirit?  If it was the first, then there lies a good lesson in why we should not involve ourselves in rituals with the spirits of the dead.

(4) Because he had often been bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces.  Neither could any man tame him.

It appears that efforts had been made to bind the man but to no avail.  He could break any chains or shackles and no man could tame him.

(5) And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

The man wandered among the mountains and the tombs, crying out, and cutting himself with stones.  I can't help but notice that it took four verses to describe this poor Satan-possessed man, an illustration of just what Satan can do to a soul if allowed.  

(6) But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped Him.

When the man saw Jesus, he ran to Him and worshiped Him.  Think about that!  He was so powerfully controlled by Satan and demons, but when he saw Jesus, he was compelled to fall down and worship Him.  Isaiah 45:23 says, "...unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."

(7) And cried with a loud voice, and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."

At the same time the man was compelled to bow down to Jesus, he cried out by the spirit within him to Jesus, recognizing Him for who He was, and begging Him not to torment him.

(8) For He said to him, "Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!"

Apparently, Jesus had at the same time commanded that the evil spirit come out of the man, and the spirit begged that He not torment him.

(9) And He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

Of course, Jesus would have known the name of the spirit, but for the learning of His disciples, witnesses, and even for us reading about this incident, He asked the name of the spirit.  His name was Legion, for actually he was the head of many spirits within that poor man.  Imagine that for a minute.  The evil spirits of Satan have names; they are evidently known entities in the spirit world.  There was a wonderful novel by Frank Peretti, This Present Darkness, about spiritual warfare.  Although it was fiction, it will open your eyes as to the spiritual warfare that goes on in the world.  It may also allow you to see people differently, when you are able to see that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual wickedness..." (Ephesians 6:12).

(10) And he beseeched Him much that He would not send them away out of the country.

The spirit continued to beg Jesus, this time that He would not send them out of the country.  It seems odd that demon spirits would presume to ask Jesus to be permitted to stay in their present country.  Perhaps this was a heathen district where demon spirits could act with less restraint than in other places.  Still!  To be so presumptuous as to ask Jesus to allow them to stay!

(11) Now there was near to the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Near to the mountains where this confrontation was taking place, there was a large herd of swine feeding.

(12) And all the devils beseeched Him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

Then the whole legion of demon spirits begged Jesus to be sent into the herd of swine.  They longed to be anywhere rather than be expelled from the country.

(13) And immediately Jesus gave them permission. And the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea (there were about two thousand) and was drowned in the sea.

Jesus at once gave them permission.  We learned from Job and even from Peter, that Satan must get permission from God to do anything to the bodies and souls of men.  But why does God allow it when He could easily say no.  God does not force us to do anything.  He gives us a choice.  He allows us to see what choosing the ways of Satan will bring.  Sometimes we must reach the very bottom before we realize our need for Jesus.  It's in His mercy that He gives us whatever we need to come to Him for salvation and eternal life.  

As Jesus gave them permission, the demon spirits went out of the man into the two thousand head of swine, and the herd ran violently off a cliff into the sea and drowned.  Again, one might question this.  After all, two thousand swine were obviously someone's property and living.  They had nothing to do with the legion of spirits within that man Jesus healed.  However, these were Jews living in this area, who should have had nothing to do with unclean animals like swine.  Destroying their livelihood could be what brought them to Jesus, and additionally allowed people throughout the ages to see the violence that demonic spirits could exercise within us.  All is God's and He may do with any of it as He pleases, but what He pleases is always for our ultimate good.

(14) And they who 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.

Those who were tending and feeding the swine fled after the swine went over the cliff, and told what had happened to people in the city and throughout the country.  People went out to see for themselves what it was that had taken place.

(15) And they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been possessed with the devil and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

People came out to see Jesus and the man who had been so demon-possessed.  The man no man could bind or tame was sitting clothed and in his right mind, and that terrified them.

(16) And they who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been possessed with the devil and concerning the swine.

Those who had been witnesses to the incident told the people who came just what had happened concerning the demon-possessed man and the herd of swine.

(17) And they began to call on Him to depart out of their borders.

The people were so fearful of what had happened that they implored Jesus to leave their region.  Rather than see the good Jesus did in healing the demon-possessed man, they feared that something bad might befall them as had happened with the herd of swine.

(18) And when He had come into the ship, he who had been possessed with the devil begged Him that he might be with Him.

Jesus was leaving as He had been asked to do and went onto the ship.  The man who had been demon-possessed begged Jesus to go along with Him.

(19) However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and has had compassion on you."

However, Jesus told the man to stay where he was, to go home, and tell all his friends what the Lord had done for him.  Rather than being called as a disciple, this man's purpose was to give his testimony of what the Lord had done for him.  We are not all called to be preachers, but some are called to witness right where they are planted.

(20) And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him, and all marveled.

The man departed Jesus and did just as Jesus had asked him.  He proclaimed throughout his country what Jesus had done for him.  Although Jesus was asked to leave and did not teach in that country, that man witnessed to its people, and all the people marveled at what they had been told.  That man did more good for his region staying planted where he was than he would have done going with Jesus.  What a beautiful example of what we can all do right where we are if God doesn't call us to some "greater" mission.  I put the word greater in quotes because who is to say what is greater?  That man may have brought more people to Christ, certainly in his region, than Christ Himself personally did, since He had been asked to leave.  All parts of the body of Christ are important; we don't all have the same purpose.  

This seems a good place to end this post and continue the chapter in the next.

Jesus Teaches in Parables and Calms the Sea

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 4:1) And He began again to teach by the seaside; and there was gathered to Him a great multitude, so that He entered onto a ship, and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

At the end of the last chapter Jesus had been teaching in Peter's house in Capernaum.  He then removed to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but as a great multitude thronged Him, He moved onto a ship where He could preach from the sea to the multitude of people who sat on the shore.

(2) And He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His doctrine, (3) "Hearken, behold, there went out a sower to sow."

From His boat in the sea, Jesus taught the people many things by parables.  In His teaching of His doctrine, He began to tell them a parable about a sower of seeds who went out to sow.  He began with an exhortation to really listen.

(4) "And it came to pass as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and devoured it up."

As the man was sowing seed, some of it fell by the wayside, and therefore was not planted, and the birds came quickly to devour it.  As already studied in Matthew, we know Jesus spoke about the sowing of the word of God.  Sometimes the word is spoken but makes no impression on its recipient; it is not planted in his soul and it does not take root, but the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and his demons come and gobble it up so there is nothing lasting in the recipient.

(5) "And some fell on stony ground where it did not have much earth, and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. (6) But when the sun was up, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away."

Some of the sower's seed fell on stony ground that did not have much dirt, so it sprang up immediately.  This is the word that falls on willing ears, but is only superficial.  There might have been a hasty profession of the word, but because there was no depth to it, no powerful heart experience in it, nothing rooted in the soul, that profession of the word quickly died.

(7) "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit."

Some of the seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up among the sprouting seeds and choked them so that they did not yield any fruit.  This represents the word that is readily received and planted within the recipient, but other desires and lusts of the world grow with it, and they eventually choke the seed of the word and it never produces fruit.

(8) "And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased, and brought forth some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred."

Finally, some seed fell on good ground where it was well-rooted, and it sprang up and yielded fruit some thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times more than the seed that was planted.  That is the seed of the word that is planted into the heart and takes root and grows strong within the soul and yields much fruit and usefulness in God's kingdom.  It touches many more souls than the original one seed did.

(9) And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

As Jesus had initially exhorted the listeners on the shore to really listen to His parable, He now said to them that the ones who had the ears to really hear and understand what He was saying, to do just that.  There were surely all types of listeners as He had just described, and He exhorted the recipients with good ground and a willing heart to truly understand.

(10) And when He was alone, they who were around Him with the twelve, asked Him about the parable.

The multitude appears to have left Jesus, but as Mark did not always tell things in chronological order, we can't be certain exactly when He was asked to explain the parable.  He was not entirely alone, as He still had His twelve disciples and others who followed Him closely, as well.  It was they who asked Jesus about the parable of the sower.

(11) And He said to them, "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them who are outside, all things are done in parables." 

Jesus said to His disciples, the twelve plus the other followers asking the question, that it was given to them to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God.  However, to those outside their circle, those who had not the heart or willingness to understand, but perhaps had only come to amuse themselves by seeing the person of such fame and witnessing His miracles, He taught all things in parables which would be pleasant to hear, but would require spiritual understanding to completely comprehend the meaning.  

(12) "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Jesus then paraphrased a quote from Isaiah 6:9-10.  He taught in parables so that those who did not have the spiritual desire to understand, would see and hear what He did and said, but would not understand.  It's not that God did not want some people to be converted and their sins forgiven, but if they were unwilling to really see and hear and understand, then the mysteries of the kingdom of God were clothed in parables so that they could not easily understand.  However, to the willing heart that wants to understand, understanding will be given; we need only ask as these disciples asked.  "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

(13) And He said to them, "Do you not know this parable? And how then will you know all parables?"

In His questions to them, Jesus made His disciples understand their need to be attentive to the word and to the basics of His doctrine, lest they be unable to understand anything that followed.  After all, it was given to them to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but they had a responsibility to be really attentive and understand.  "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required..." (Luke 12:48).  Pity the poor souls to whom it had not been given!  The disciples did ask, and they did receive an answer from Jesus.  He went on to explain the parable: 

(14) "The sower sows the word."

Jesus explained that the sower was actually sowing the word of God.

(15) "And these are they by the wayside where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts."

Jesus explained that the word that fell on those by the wayside never got a chance to grow within the hearts of the recipients; it was immediately snatched away by Satan, and therefore made no lasting impression on the recipients.

(16) "And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness, (17) And have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."

Likewise the word does not last in the hearts of the ones signified by the stony ground.  They do receive the word with gladness, but because it is not rooted within their hearts, they are only able to endure for a short time.  As soon as affliction or persecution comes because of the word, they readily relinquish their profession of it rather than suffer.

(18) "And these are they which are sown among thorns, such as hear the word, (19) And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

The word that is sown among thorns is the word sown in the hearts of those who also receive the word gladly, but when the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and other worldly lusts grow within their hearts, those things choke out the word and it is therefore not fruitful.

(20) "And these are they which are sown on good ground, such as hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

And finally, the seed that is sown in good ground is the word being sown among people who hear it, receive it completely, nurture it within their hearts, and produce fruit thirty, sixty, and even a hundredfold.  One person with the word planted in a good heart can reach a hundred other souls, even more.

(21) And He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?"

Jesus further explained with another analogy.  Just as a candle is not brought out to be hidden under a basket or a bed, so the word is not given to be hidden in the heart and not shown to the world.  It is to be set on a candlestick as a light unto the world.  Furthermore, Jesus did not use parables only to have their meaning hidden, but to throw light on the truth.  Likewise, the disciples were not to keep the truth of them hidden, but were to impart the light to others.

(22) "For there is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested, neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open."

Jesus said there was no secret mystery hidden in His parables or in the word that would not eventually be revealed.  He had come to fulfill and to proclaim the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven that were then manifested in salvation in Him.  Everything that had seemed hidden and not able to be understood up to that point, was then or soon to be revealed.  Indeed, at this present time, we have the benefit of knowing the truth of Jesus, and are now able to see how Jesus is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament.  Those mysteries of the Old Testament have come to light.

(23) "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."

Jesus exhorted those who could hear those important words He had spoken to them, to fully understand the meaning of His words.

(24) And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear; with the same measure you use, it shall be measured to you, and to you who hear, more will be given."

Jesus told His disciples to consider well what they heard and tend to it diligently, seeking to understand it.  With the same measure that they used to understand what was given them, they would be given even more understanding.

(25) "For he who has, to him shall be given; and he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has."

For the person who had Gospel light and understanding, and of course, made proper use of it, even more would be given to him.  However, to the person who had no real understanding of the word of truth, that person would lose even what he had been given.  Isn't that the way it is?  We've all seen so-called Christians who stumble and back-slide and even fall away.  It seems all they used to have is no longer within them.

(26) And He said, "So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground, (27) And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow up, he knows not how."

Jesus went back to the subject of the seed grown on good ground and likened it to the kingdom of God.  The sower representing a minister or disciple of God casts seed, the word of God, on the good ground of a willing heart.  He sleeps and rises day after day going about his daily routine.  In time that seed sprouts and grows up, and he can't really say how that happened.  He only planted the seed, and he may tend to it day after day, just as a minister or disciple might continue to tend to the teaching of the word of God, but he can't see into the heart of the recipient to know exactly how it grows.

(28) "For the earth brings forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

The earth brings forth fruit by itself without any help from man pulling it up and out of the ground.  It comes up as a tender stalk and then begins to form the fruit that grows into full mature fruit; man certainly has no part in the shaping of that.

(29) "But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest has come."

When the fullness of the fruit is brought forth, man then can see it and goes to work bringing that harvest in.  So it is with the word of God and the kingdom of God.  It grows mysteriously within hearts, but once the fruit of a mature faith comes forth, it is immediately recognized and harvested for God.

(30) And He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?"

Jesus introduced another parable, this time asking to what the kingdom of God should be likened or compared, rather than beginning his usual way of, "The kingdom of God is like..."

(31) "Like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is smaller than all the seeds that are in the earth."

Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that starts out smaller than all the other seeds in the earth.  So the word of God working within the heart of man starts out so very tiny, just a word...

(32) "But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs and shoots out great branches so that the birds of the air may lodge under its shadow."

The mustard seed and the small planted word of God grows and grows and becomes greater than everything else.  What other word sown into the heart has greater reaching branches throughout the earth?  The tiny mustard seed of faith sown into the heart of one, then many, grows throughout the entire world so that the people of the world may find rest and salvation for their weary souls.

(33) And with many such parables He spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

Jesus spoke to His disciples in many such parables as the ones presented here, pairing the level of His teaching with their ability to understand.

(34) But without a parable He did not speak to them; and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples.

I believe the sense is that Jesus spoke only in parables about the kingdom of God, but when they were alone, He went further in explaining the details of the kingdom of God to His disciples.

(35) And the same day, when the evening was come, He said to them, "Let us pass over to the other side."

Later that day, in the evening, Jesus suggested to His disciples that they take the ship He was aboard while teaching the people, and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

(36) And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.

Once again, we see a little confusion on the order of things.  Was Jesus alone with His disciples and then the multitude came back?  Or perhaps more likely the explanation of the parable while they were alone happened after they sent the multitude away, and possibly while they were in the ship going to the other side of the sea.  Mark inserted it where he did to explain the parable Jesus had just told.  Regardless, the disciples now sent away the multitude of people, and took Jesus away in the ship.  Apparently, there were other little ships with Jesus's ship.  Either they were already also seeking to travel to the other side, or perhaps some of the multitude jumped in ships to follow Jesus.  The important point is that there were witnesses to what happened next.

(37) And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full.

While they were in the midst of the sea traveling to the other side, a great storm arose, and the winds beat the little ship with waves until it was full of water.

(38) And He was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow; and they awoke Him and said to Him, "Master, do you not care that we perish?"

Jesus was in the back of the boat sleeping, which was probably the reason He wanted to move to the other side of the sea, to get some rest.  The disciples woke Him up, and their tone seemed to be one of complaining, wondering how He could sleep and seemingly not care that they were in danger.

(39) And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and told the sea to be still, and those elements obeyed Him, and there was a great calm.

(40) And He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Jesus asked His disciples why they had been so fearful.  How could they, after witnessing His great power and miracles, ever doubt that they would survive this incident?

(41) And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

It seems the disciples really feared then!  It was an awestruck reverential type of fear, realizing that even the wind and the sea obeyed Him.  Jesus could be no mere man!  It was another step toward truly recognizing who Jesus really was.  What a beautiful picture of Jesus in our lives now!  We are certainly storm-tossed in this life, but we must always remember that He is with us always.  Though He may seem to be sleeping when the storm rages, nothing takes Him by surprise!  We are safe in Him and we trust in Him.  We pray in a faithful spirit, anxious for nothing, but trusting His guidance at the helm of the ship of life.  It was Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible, who pointed out that "the hinder part of the ship" where Jesus slept, was the stern, the back of the boat, where the helm was located.