Mark 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And they did all eat, and were filled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does Mark 6:21 mean?

Explanation

Mark 6:21 speaks of an event hosted by Herod Antipas to celebrate his birthday.

The verse details that those invited to the feast included Herod's courtiers, military commanders, and leading men of the region of Galilee. The specifics within the verse denote the importance of the occasion, suggesting it was one of significance and festivity.

From a literary standpoint, the verse sets the scene for the events that will follow, which ultimately lead to the beheading of John the Baptist as part of a grisly request by Herodias's daughter (verse 22 onwards).

The reference to "a convenient day" suggests that this was a planned and calculated event designed to showcase Herod's power and status.

The use of "lords," "high captains," and "chief estates of Galilee" highlights the high-ranking guests in attendance, pointing to the event's political and social standing.

This verse paints a picture of the secular and political power structures of the time and the interactions between them.

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Historical Context

This verse takes place during the time of Herod Antipas, a first-century ruler in Galilee and Perea.

Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, known for his role in the death of John the Baptist and his encounter with Jesus during the Passion.

Herod's rule was characterized by considerable Roman influence, and his reign saw attempts at Hellenization.

The reference to his birthday banquet reflects the Herodian adoption of Greco-Roman customs, which would include lavish celebrations for personal or political gain.

It is historically notable that such events included a mixture of political, military, and aristocratic figures which would often be designed to solidify alliances and display wealth and power.

The cultural significance of such gatherings was immense, often influencing political decisions and the social structure of the region.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse serves as a prelude to a significant moral lesson about the consequences of pride, immorality, and political machinations.

The opulence of Herod’s birthday feast stands in sharp contrast to the teachings of humility and service found elsewhere in the Gospels.

The context provided by this and subsequent verses serves to highlight the differences between the values of the kingdom of God and those of earthly rulers.

Some theological interpretations emphasize the judgment that comes upon those who oppose God's servants, represented here by John the Baptist. Herod's actions and their repercussions can serve as a warning against the dangers of corruption and the abuse of power.

Practical Applications

This verse invites reflection on the nature of power and influence in our own lives.

It challenges readers to consider how they might use any position of authority they hold.

The inclusion of this story in Mark's Gospel reminds readers to be wary of pride and the allure of grandiosity.

It calls for a reevaluation of one's values and to consider the impact of one's actions on others, especially those who speak uncomfortable truths as John the Baptist did.

Cross-References

Matthew 14:6 - "But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod."
Mark 6:22 - "And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."
Mark 6:27 - "And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language provide insight into the text:

"Convenient" (Greek: εὐκαίρως, eukairōs) can imply an opportune or well-timed day, suggesting deliberate planning.
"Birthday" (Greek: γενέσια, genesia) indicates the celebration of the day of Herod's birth, an event that would have been marked by feasting and entertainment.
"Lords" (Greek: μεγιστάσιν, megistasin) refers to individuals of high rank or nobility.
"High captains" (Greek: χιλίαρχοι, chiliarchoi) denotes leaders of a thousand men, military commanders.
"Chief estates" (Greek: πρῶτοι, prōtoi) implies men of prominence or primary importance in Galilee, possibly civil authorities or local dignitaries.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of birthday celebrations and the hosting of feasts was not unique to the Herodian period or Judeo-Christian tradition. In the Greco-Roman world, such events were commonly associated with displays of status and wealth.

However, in comparison to Jewish customs, such attention to birthdays was relatively rare; Jewish tradition tended to emphasize religious feasts instead of personal celebrations.

Other ancient cultures also celebrated deities and kings with lavish feasts and banquets. For example, in ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh's birthday would be a significant event, possibly adorned with religious overtones.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly relate to scientific perspectives, it touches on sociology and anthropology involving the analysis of power relations, social structures, and festivities as means of consolidating power.

The impact of power on human behavior and community relations is a subject widely studied within the social sciences.

Commentaries

Different biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse and its implications.

Some prioritize the historical background, noting Herod Antipas's political authority and how this influenced his actions.

Others delve into the moral lessons to be learned from Herod’s subsequent decision to execute John the Baptist, often attributing the decision to his pride, the influence of Herodias, and the pressure of maintaining face before his distinguished guests.

Commentaries also draw out the stark contrast between the banquet's opulence and the austerity of John the Baptist's life, which was devoted to preaching repentance and living in simplicity.

They reflect on the perils of self-indulgence and the moral decay illustrated by Herod's willingness to sacrifice a prophet to fulfill an impulsive oath made during a festive occasion.

Mark 6

Mark 6

What does Mark 6:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 6:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?