Mark 6:1-13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter - Among the ancient Jews, every father was bound to do four things for his son. To circumcise him. To redeem him. To teach him the law. To teach him a trade. And this was founded on the following just maxim: "He who teaches not his son to do some work, is as if he taught him robbery!" It is therefore likely that Joseph brought up our Lord to his own trade. Joses - Several good MSS. read Ιωσητος , Joset, and one, with several versions, reads Joseph. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:4-6

See this curious subject explained, Matthew 13:55-58 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:7

By two and two - That they might encourage and support each other; and to show that union among the ministers of the Gospel is essential to the promotion of the cause of truth. See on Luke 10:1 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:8

A staff only - It is likely he desired them to take only one with every two, merely for the purpose of carrying any part of their clothes on, when they should be obliged to strip them off by reason of the heat; for walking staves, or things of this kind, were forbidden, see Matthew 10:10 . But, probably, no more is designed than simply to state that they must not wait to make any provision for the journey, but go off just as they were, leaving the provision necessary in the present case to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:9

Shod with sandals - The sandal seems to have been similar to the Roman solea , which covered only the sole of the foot, and was fastened about the foot and ankle with straps. The sandal was originally a part of the woman's dress; ancient authors represent them as worn only by women. In Matthew 10:10 , the disciples are commanded to take no shoes, ὑποδηματα , which word is nearly of the same import with σανδαλια , sandals; but, as our Lord intimates to them that they should be free... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:11

And whosoever shall not receive you - Ὁς αν τοπος μη δεξηται , whatsoever Place will not receive you: this is the reading of BL, four others, and the later Syriac in the margin. Verily, etc. - All this clause is omitted in BCDL, two others, one Arabic, one Persic, Coptic, Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala but three. Mill and Beza approve of the omission, and Griesbach leaves it out of the text. It has probably been transferred here from Matthew 10:15 . See this subject, from ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:13

Anointed with oil many that were sick - This is only spoken of here, and in James 5:14 . This ceremony was in great use among the Jews; and in certain cases it might be profitable. But in the cases mentioned here, which were merely miraculous, it could avail no more of itself than the imposition of hands. It was used symbolically, as an emblem of that ease, comfort, and joy, which they prayed God to impart to the sick. For various examples of its use among the Jews, see Lightfoot and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:12

Verse 12 Mark 6:12.And they departed, and preached. Matthew silently passes over what the Apostles did. Mark and Luke relate that they proceeded to execute the commission which they had received; and from their statements it appears more clearly, that the office which Christ at that time bestowed upon them, as I have formerly mentioned, was temporary, and indeed lasted but a few days. They tell us that the Apostles went through the cities and villages: and they unquestionably returned in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:1

Our Lord now left the neighbourhood of Capernaum, and came into his own country , the district of Nazareth, where he had been, not born indeed, but brought up, and where his kinsfolk after the flesh still lived. Nazareth would be about a day's journey from Capernaum. This was not the first public exercise of his ministry at Nazareth. Of that and its results St. Luke gives us the account ( Luke 4:16 ). It would seem reasonable to suppose that, after the fame which he had now acquired,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:1-6

Unbelief. Our Lord may have had two reasons for leaving Capernaum and for visiting Nazareth. One, a personal reason—to see his mother and his sisters, who seem to have been married there. The other, a ministerial reason—to escape from the busy throngs who resorted to him by the lake, and to take a new center for evangelistic labours on the part of himself and his disciples. It is singular and instructive that Nazareth should have perhaps twice furnished a striking instance of human... read more

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