Mark Chapter 6
Showing all 56 verses for Mark Chapter 6.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. "
"Jesus left that area and went back to his hometown, Nazareth, with his disciples following him."
I bring my closest friends with me even into the place where I'm least likely to be respected - showing up honestly, without hiding from where I came from, is worth more than avoiding an uncomfortable homecoming.
"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? "
"On the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed, asking, 'Where did this man get all this? What's this wisdom he's been given, and how is he doing these miracles?'"
People will often question the credibility of insight or change that comes from someone they think they already have figured out. I'd ask you not to let your assumptions about a person's past or background blind you to what's genuinely good or wise in them now.
"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. "
"'Isn't this the carpenter, Mary's son, brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us too?' And they were offended by him."
I know what it's like to be reduced to your background, your job, or your family name instead of being seen for who you actually are. Don't let people's small assumptions about you decide who you're allowed to become.
"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. "
"Jesus told them, 'A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown, among his own relatives, and in his own household.'"
If the people who've known you longest struggle to see your growth, that says something about how hard it is to update a first impression - not necessarily about whether the growth is real. Don't let a lack of recognition at home stop you living out who you've become.
"And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. "
"He wasn't able to do any miracles there, except laying his hands on a few sick people and healing them."
I don't override people's hearts or force good things on those who've shut themselves off - genuine change requires some openness on the other side. Where I do find that trust, even in small pockets, I still show up for it.
"And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. "
"He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then he went around the surrounding villages, teaching."
Rejection can genuinely surprise and sting even someone secure in who they are - I don't pretend it doesn't affect me. But I don't let it stop me; I keep moving and keep giving what I have to give elsewhere.
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; "
"He called the twelve to him and began sending them out in pairs, giving them authority over evil spirits."
I don't hoard influence or ability - I actively hand it to others and trust them to carry it, even when they're imperfect and inexperienced. If you've been given something good, consider who you might be meant to pass it on to, and don't go it alone when you can find a genuine partner.
"And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: "
"He told them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts."
I ask you to notice how much of your security is actually just stuff, and how capable you are of trusting people and situations you can't fully control. Letting go of the need to have everything sorted in advance can free you to actually do the thing that matters.
"But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. "
"He told them to wear sandals but not to take a spare coat."
I'm not asking you to strip your life bare for no reason - just to notice how a spare 'just in case' can quietly become a crutch that keeps you from trusting the people and provision around you. Travel light enough that you still have to lean on someone.
"And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. "
"He said to them, 'Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.'"
When someone opens their home or their trust to you, I'd encourage you to honour that rather than treating it as a stepping stone to something better. Loyalty to the people who take you in matters more than chasing comfort.
"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 wherever people won't welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet as you leave, as a warning against them. I tell you the truth, it will go easier for Sodom and Gomorrah on judgement day than for that town.'"
I don't chase after people who repeatedly refuse to hear me, and I don't waste energy carrying guilt over their rejection - I simply let go and move on. You're allowed to walk away from those who won't listen without dragging their response around with you.
"And they went out, and preached that men should repent. "
"So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their wrongdoing."
The invitation I give isn't to wallow in guilt but to actually change course when you realise something in your life isn't working. It's never too late to turn and go a different way.
"And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. "
"They drove out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil, healing them."
Whatever ability or authority I've given you to do good in the world is genuinely yours to use, not just something to admire from a distance. Don't wait to feel qualified - go and put it into practice.
"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. "
"King Herod heard about Jesus, since his name had become well known, and some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead - that's why these miraculous powers are at work in him.'"
Reputation and rumour will always run ahead of the truth about who someone really is - I'd ask you not to build your sense of who I am, or who anyone is, purely on what other people are saying.
"Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. "
"Others said, 'It's Elijah.' And others said, 'He's a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.'"
People will try to slot you into whatever category makes sense to them, even flattering ones, rather than actually asking who you are. Stay patient with being misunderstood - clarity often takes time.
"But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. "
"But when Herod heard this, he said, 'It's John, the man I beheaded - he has risen from the dead.'"
Guilt over something we've done wrong has a way of resurfacing no matter how much power or distraction we surround ourselves with. Facing what we've done honestly is far healthier than letting it chase us in the shadows.
"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. "
"This was because Herod himself had sent men to arrest John and had him bound in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom Herod had married."
Speaking an uncomfortable truth to someone powerful can cost you dearly - I don't pretend that courage like John's is ever risk-free. But standing for what's right, even when it threatens your safety, is still worth doing.
"For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. "
"John had told Herod, 'It's not right for you to have your brother's wife.'"
I respect people who tell the truth to power without flattery, even when it's dangerous - John's directness here is exactly that kind of courage. Speak plainly to those who need to hear it, regardless of what it might cost you.
"Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: "
"So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she wasn't able to."
Holding onto a grudge, waiting for the moment to strike, corrodes a person long before it ever reaches its target. I'd rather you let go of resentment than let it fester and wait for an opening.
"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. "
"This was because Herod was afraid of John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man, so he protected him. When he listened to John, he was greatly puzzled, yet he liked listening to him."
Knowing what's right and actually being willing to act on it are two very different things - I'd ask you to notice if you're like Herod here, drawn to truth but too afraid of what it costs to follow it. Don't let fear of other people's reactions keep you from doing what you already know is right.
"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; "
"Finally the opportunity came: on his birthday, Herod held a banquet for his top officials, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee."
Public image and the fear of losing face in front of people you want to impress can push you into terrible decisions. Be wary of promises or commitments made for the sake of looking good to a crowd.
"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. "
"When Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you.'"
I want you to think before you make sweeping promises in the heat of a moment, especially when you're trying to impress others - words spoken carelessly can carry consequences you never intended. Generosity is good, but it still needs wisdom behind it.
"And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. "
"He swore an oath to her, 'Whatever you ask, I'll give it to you, even up to half my kingdom.'"
Be careful about locking yourself into commitments you haven't thought through, especially when pride is what's making you double down. It's better to admit you spoke rashly than to follow through on a promise that leads to real harm.
"And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. "
"She went out and asked her mother, 'What should I ask for?' And her mother said, 'The head of John the Baptist.'"
I never use people, especially those who trust and depend on us, as tools to carry out our own grudges or agendas. Watch for how your own unresolved anger might be shaping the people closest to you without their full understanding.
"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. "
"She hurried back to the king at once and said, 'I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter, right now.'"
This story doesn't flinch from showing how quickly cruelty can be dressed up as a simple request when no one in the room is willing to stop it. If you see something monstrous unfolding, don't assume politeness or ceremony makes it acceptable.
"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. "
"The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oath and his guests, he didn't want to refuse her."
I'd rather you break an unwise promise and face embarrassment than keep it and do something you know is wrong - regret over looking foolish is nothing compared to regret over real harm done. Don't let the fear of what others think override your conscience.
"And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, "
"So the king immediately sent an executioner and ordered John's head to be brought. The man went and beheaded John in the prison,"
Once a wrong decision is set in motion, it can move faster than you expect towards consequences you can't undo - this is exactly why the moment of decision matters so much. Pause before you act on pressure, because some actions can't be taken back.
"And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. "
"and brought his head on a platter, giving it to the girl, who gave it to her mother."
This grim ending shows how far unchecked hatred and unwillingness to say no can travel before anyone stops it. Be the person willing to break that chain, wherever you find yourself in it.
"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 it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb."
When someone you respect suffers injustice, showing up to honour them afterwards - even when you can't undo what happened - still matters deeply. Faithfulness in grief is its own kind of courage.
"And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. "
"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him everything they had done and taught."
I want to hear how things actually went for you, the wins and the struggles both - real relationship includes checking back in, not just sending people off to work alone. Make space to genuinely debrief with the people you care about, not just assign tasks and move on.
"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. "
"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for a while' - because so many people were coming and going that they didn't even have time to eat."
Rest isn't a reward you earn after proving yourself endlessly busy - it's something I actively want for you, especially when you've been giving a lot of yourself to others. Don't feel guilty stepping away to recover; it's part of doing the work well, not an interruption to it.
"And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. "
"So they left by boat to a quiet, remote place, just the group of them."
If you need rest, don't just wish for it - take the practical step to actually go and get it, even if it means physically removing yourself from where the demands are. Good intentions need action behind them.
"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. "
"But people saw them leaving and recognised them, and crowds ran on foot from all the towns and actually arrived there before them."
Sometimes the demands on you will follow you even when you try to step away, and that's genuinely hard - I don't pretend otherwise. What matters is how you respond when interruption meets your good intentions, which the next part of this story shows.
"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. "
"When Jesus stepped out and saw the huge crowd, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd - so he began teaching them at length."
I choose compassion even when I'm tired and my own needs have just been interrupted - real care for people isn't reserved only for when it's convenient. When you're drained and someone genuinely needs you, see if you can find that same compassion rather than resentment.
"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: "
"By now it was getting late, so his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a remote place, and it's already very late.'"
Noticing a real problem and raising it is a good instinct - I don't fault the disciples for that. But it's worth staying open to solutions bigger than the ones you can immediately see for yourself.
"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. "
"'Send them away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat, because they have nothing here.'"
It's easy to default to 'that's not my problem, let them sort it out' - a reasonable instinct, but not always the most generous one. Watch for moments where you're capable of doing more than you first assume.
"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? "
"But he answered, 'You give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'Should we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread and give it to them?'"
I sometimes ask you to take responsibility for things that feel impossible with what you've got, not to set you up to fail, but to open your eyes to resources and possibilities you haven't considered yet. Don't measure what's possible only by what's in your wallet or your own strength.
"He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. "
"He asked them, 'How much bread do you have? Go and see.' When they found out, they said, 'Five loaves, and two fish.'"
I don't need you to have abundant resources before you can be useful - I ask you to honestly take stock of what little you do have and offer it. Small, ordinary things, freely given, can go much further than you'd expect.
"And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. "
"He told the disciples to have everyone sit down in groups on the green grass."
Doing good for people well often means thinking practically about how it's delivered, not just that it happens - dignity and order matter, even in an act of generosity. Care for people includes caring about how they experience being cared for.
"And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. "
"So they sat down in rows, in groups of a hundred and groups of fifty."
Even in a spontaneous, urgent moment, there's value in careful, deliberate organisation - it shows respect for the people you're serving. Good intentions work best paired with thoughtful structure.
"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. "
"Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept giving them to his disciples to distribute to the people; he also divided the two fish among everyone."
I choose to work through others rather than doing everything alone, even when I'm the one with the power to provide - it's important to me that you're part of the giving, not just a spectator to it. Gratitude comes first, before the giving even begins.
"And they did all eat, and were filled. "
"They all ate and were satisfied."
What I offer isn't stingy or just barely sufficient - there's real abundance available when you trust it rather than only counting what seems scarce. Don't assume there's never enough to go around.
"And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. "
"And they collected twelve baskets full of leftover bread and fish."
Generosity given freely often leaves more behind than you started with, not less - it's worth testing that principle in your own life rather than assuming generosity always means loss. There's usually more to go around than fear tells you.
"And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. "
"About five thousand men had eaten the loaves."
What starts small in your hands can reach further than you'd ever imagine once it's genuinely given rather than hoarded. Don't underestimate the reach of a small act of generosity offered honestly.
"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. "
"Right away he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida on the other side, while he sent the crowd away."
Sometimes I take on the harder, less glamorous task myself - dealing with a crowd, wrapping things up - so others can move ahead and rest. Leadership sometimes means being the last one to leave, not the first.
"And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. "
"After sending them away, he went up a mountain to pray."
When I'm most drained, I go to prayer, not away from it - it's where I find what I need to keep going. If you have any kind of quiet reflection or connection that restores you, don't let a busy day be the excuse to skip it; it's often exactly when you need it most.
"And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. "
"When evening came, the boat was out in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on land."
There can be real stretches where it feels like I'm distant while you're struggling through something difficult and exposed - I don't pretend that feeling isn't real. What matters is what happens next: I do come.
"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. "
"He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them, and at about three in the morning he came towards them, walking on the sea, and seemed intending to pass them by."
I see your struggle even when I seem far off and it feels like the timing of help is slow - I'm not indifferent to what you're straining against. Sometimes what looks like distance is actually the approach of exactly the help you need, arriving in its own time.
"But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: "
"But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and cried out in fear."
It's natural to be afraid of something you don't understand at first, even something that's ultimately there to help you - I don't judge that instinct. Give yourself a moment to actually look and listen before assuming the worst about what's approaching you.
"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. "
"They all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage - it is I; don't be afraid.'"
When you're afraid, I speak directly and immediately into that fear rather than letting you stay in it - 'don't be afraid' is something I actually mean and actively offer, not just a nice phrase. Let a genuine, calming presence be enough to settle you, even in a situation you don't fully understand.
"And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. "
"Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely astounded, beyond anything they'd expected."
My presence with you can settle things that seem completely out of your control - I don't just calm your fear, I can calm the actual storm too. Let yourself be amazed at what genuine trust and presence can do, rather than assuming you always have to weather chaos alone.
"For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. "
"This was because they hadn't understood the meaning of the loaves - their hearts were hardened."
I'm patient with slow understanding - the disciples needed to see the same kind of truth more than once before it sank in, and so might you. Don't be discouraged if a lesson has to repeat itself before it truly changes how you see things; that's normal, not a failure.
"And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. "
"When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored there."
After a difficult stretch, there's real value in actually arriving somewhere solid and steady again - don't skip over acknowledging when you've come safely through something hard. Give yourself the moment of landing before rushing into whatever's next.
"And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, "
"As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised him."
Where you're not recognised or valued in one place doesn't define whether you're valued everywhere - there's often a whole different reception waiting elsewhere. Don't let one closed door convince you that all doors are closed.
"And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. "
"They ran throughout the whole region and began carrying the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was."
When something genuinely good becomes available, people will go to real lengths to reach it, and that kind of collective effort for one another's wellbeing is worth noticing and encouraging. Don't underestimate what a community can do when it moves together towards hope.
"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. "
"Wherever he went - villages, towns, or countryside - people laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him to let them just touch the edge of his cloak; and everyone who touched him was healed."
You don't need some grand, formal approach to reach out for help or healing - sometimes the smallest, most humble reach towards what's good is enough to make real contact. Don't overthink what it takes to seek out something genuinely life-giving; just reach.