Mark 6:6 Study Bible: And He marveled because of their unbelief. And he went around the villages teaching.

◄ Mark 6:6 ►

And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.

And He was amazed at their unbelief.
In this passage, Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth, where He encounters a lack of faith among the people who knew Him growing up. This amazement is not one of admiration but of astonishment at their persistent unbelief despite the evidence of His teachings and miracles. The Greek word used here for "amazed" (θαυμάζω) indicates a profound sense of wonder or surprise. This reaction highlights the human tendency to reject what is familiar, as Jesus Himself notes in Mark 6:4, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town." The unbelief of the Nazarenes serves as a stark contrast to the faith seen in other parts of the Gospel, such as the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:10, where Jesus is also amazed, but positively. This unbelief fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:3, where the Messiah is described as "despised and rejected by men."

And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.
Despite the rejection in Nazareth, Jesus continues His ministry undeterred, moving through the surrounding villages. This itinerant ministry is a hallmark of Jesus' approach, emphasizing the accessibility of His message to all, not just those in major cities or religious centers. The region of Galilee, where these villages are located, was a mix of Jewish and Gentile populations, reflecting the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission. His teaching often took place in synagogues, open fields, or homes, demonstrating the adaptability and reach of His message. This movement from village to village also prefigures the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." The act of teaching is central to Jesus' ministry, as seen throughout the Gospels, where He is often referred to as "Rabbi" or "Teacher," indicating His role in imparting divine wisdom and truth.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the Son of God, who is both fully divine and fully human. In this context, He is teaching and performing miracles in His hometown and surrounding villages.

2. Nazareth
The hometown of Jesus, where He faced skepticism and unbelief from those who knew Him growing up. This setting highlights the challenge of familiarity breeding contempt.

3. Villages
The surrounding areas where Jesus continued His ministry after facing unbelief in Nazareth. These villages represent the broader mission field beyond His immediate community.

4. Unbelief
The response of the people in Nazareth to Jesus' teachings and miracles. Their lack of faith is a significant theme in this passage.

5. Teaching
Jesus' primary activity as He traveled through the villages, emphasizing His role as a rabbi and the importance of spreading the message of the Kingdom of God.

Teaching Points

The Challenge of Familiarity
Familiarity with Jesus can sometimes lead to a lack of reverence or faith. We must guard against taking our relationship with Him for granted.

The Importance of Faith
Faith is crucial for experiencing the fullness of Jesus' power and presence. Unbelief can hinder the work of God in our lives.

Perseverance in Ministry
Despite rejection, Jesus continued His mission. We are called to persevere in sharing the Gospel, even when faced with skepticism or rejection.

The Role of Teaching
Teaching is a vital component of discipleship. We should prioritize learning and sharing the truths of Scripture in our communities.

Responding to Rejection
Jesus' response to rejection was not to give up but to continue His work elsewhere. We can learn to respond to rejection with grace and persistence.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the familiarity of Jesus' hometown contribute to their unbelief, and how can we avoid a similar attitude in our own faith journey?

2. In what ways does the unbelief of the people in Nazareth serve as a warning for us today, and how can we cultivate a heart of faith?

3. How does Jesus' perseverance in ministry, despite rejection, inspire us to continue sharing the Gospel in our own lives?

4. What role does teaching play in our spiritual growth, and how can we prioritize learning and sharing biblical truths in our communities?

5. How can we respond to rejection or skepticism in our faith journey, drawing inspiration from Jesus' example in this passage?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 13:58
This parallel account also highlights the unbelief of the people in Nazareth and notes that Jesus did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Luke 4:16-30
Provides a more detailed account of Jesus' visit to Nazareth, including His reading from Isaiah and the subsequent rejection by the townspeople.

John 1:11
Reflects on the broader theme of Jesus being rejected by His own people, which is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels.

Hebrews 3:12
Warns against an unbelieving heart, drawing a parallel to the Israelites' unbelief in the wilderness, which can be related to the unbelief Jesus encountered.

Sermons

Christ Ministering to the Villages	A.F. Muir	Mark 6:6
Christ At Home	E. Johnson, M. A.	Mark 6:1-6
Christ At Home	E. Johnson	Mark 6:1-6
Christ's Return to Nazareth	De W. S. Clark.	Mark 6:1-6
Detracting from the Divine Greatness of Christ	A. F. Muir, M. A.	Mark 6:1-6
Jesus Re-Visits Nazareth	J. C. Gray.	Mark 6:1-6
Jesus Visiting His Own Country	A. F. Muir, M. A.	Mark 6:1-6
Jesus Visiting His Own Country	A.F. Muir	Mark 6:1-6
Rejection of Christ	A. Rowland, LL. B.	Mark 6:1-6
The Carpenter; Or, the Dignity of Honest Labour	R. Green	Mark 6:1-6
The Refection At Nazareth	J.J. Given	Mark 6:1-6
Unbelief At Nazareth	J. R. Thomson, M A.	Mark 6:1-6
The Twofold Wonder Awakened by the Gospel	A.F. Muir	Mark 6:2, 6
Christ's Wonder	J. Morison, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
Jesus Wondering At Man's Unbelief	H. Bonar, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
Marvellous Unbelief	W. Joules.	Mark 6:5-6
The Astonishment of Christ	S. Cox, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
The Character of Unbelief	C. Wadsworth, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
The Possibility of Unbelief	John Ker, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
The Power of Unbelief	J. Vaughan, M. A.	Mark 6:5-6
The Sad Wonder	C. H. Spurgeon.	Mark 6:5-6
The Sin of Unbelief	C. Hodge, D. D.	Mark 6:5-6
The Unbelief of the Nazarenes	H. Melvill, B. D.	Mark 6:5-6
Unbelief	Colmer B. Symes, B. A.	Mark 6:5-6
Unbelief	J. Burns, LL. D.	Mark 6:5-6
Unbelief a Wonder	Anon.	Mark 6:5-6
Unbelief Preventing the Mighty Works of Christ	A. Weston.	Mark 6:5-6

People

Elias, Elijah, Herod, Herodias, James, Jesus, John, Joseph, Joses, Judas, Jude, Mary, Philip, Simon

Places

Bethsaida, Galilee, Genneseret, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee

Topics

Adjacent, Circle, Circuit, Faith, Greatly, Lack, Marveled, Marvelled, Places, Round, Surprised, Teaching, Unbelief, Village, Villages, Wondered

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Mark 6:6

     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching
     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5601   village
     5764   attitudes, negative to God
     5784   amazement
     8235   doctrine, nature of
     8722   doubt, nature of

Mark 6:1-6

     5928   resentment, against God
     6231   rejection of God
     8712   denial of Christ

Mark 6:1-11

7757 preaching, effects

Mark 6:1-56

5357 journey

Mark 6:2-6

5962 surprises

Mark 6:4-6

2369 Christ, responses to

Mark 6:5-6

1418 miracles, responses
8612 prayer, and faith

Mark 6:6-11

7621 disciples, calling

Library

January 6 Evening
The apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things they had done.--MARK 6:30. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.--The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.--Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. When ye shall have done …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 4. "Come Ye Yourselves Apart" (Mark vi. 31).
"Come ye yourselves apart" (Mark vi. 31). One of the greatest hindrances to spirituality is the lack of waiting upon God. You cannot go through twenty-four hours with two or three breaths of air, in the morning, as you sip your coffee. But you must live in the atmosphere, and you must breathe it all day long. Christians do not wait upon God enough. It needs hours and hours daily of spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit to keep your vitality healthful and full. Every moment should find you breathing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 8. "It is I, be not Afraid" (Mark vi. 50).
"It is I, be not afraid" (Mark vi. 50). Someone tells of a little child with some big story of sorrow upon its little heart, flying to its mother's arms for comfort, and intending to tell her the story of its trouble; but as that mother presses it to her bosom and pours out her love, it soon becomes so occupied with her and the sweetness of her affection that it forgets to tell its story, and in a little while even the memory of the trouble is forgotten. It has just been loved away, and she has taken …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Herod --A Startled Conscience
'But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.'--Mark vi. 16. The character of this Herod, surnamed Antipas, is a sufficiently common and a sufficiently despicable one. He was the very type of an Eastern despot, exactly like some of those half-independent Rajahs, whose dominions march with ours in India; capricious, crafty, as the epithet which Christ applied to him, 'That fox!' shows; cruel, as the story of the murder of John the Baptist proves; sensuous …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
'And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. 2. 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? 3. 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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Martyrdom of John
'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. 18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20. 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. 21. And when …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The World's Bread
'And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31. 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. 32. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33. And the people saw them departing, and many knew Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ Thwarted
'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.'--Mark vi. 5,6. It is possible to live too near a man to see him. Familiarity with the small details blinds most people to the essential greatness of any life. So these fellow-villagers of Jesus in Nazareth knew Him too well to know Him rightly as they talked Him over; they recognised His wisdom and His mighty works; but all the impression that these …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On Attending the Church Service
"The sin of the young men was very great." 1 Sam. 2:17. 1. The corruption, not only of the heathen world, but likewise of them that were called Christians, has been matter of sorrow and lamentation to pious men, almost from the time of the apostles. And hence, as early as the second century, within a hundred years of St. John's removal from the earth, men who were afraid of being partakers of other men's sins, thought it their duty to separate from them. Hence, in every age many have retired from …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
V. 1, 2. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to those that are called to be holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. This Epistle is ascribed to the holy Apostle, St. Jude, brother of the two Apostles, James the Less and Simon, by the sister of the mother of Christ, who is called Mary (wife) of James or Cleopas, as we read in Mark vi. But this Epistle cannot be looked upon as being that of one who was truly an Apostle, …
Martin Luther—The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a Pure Religion --First Disciples.
Joseph died before his son had taken any public part. Mary remained, in a manner, the head of the family, and this explains why her son, when it was wished to distinguish him from others of the same name, was most frequently called the "son of Mary."[1] It seems that having, by the death of her husband, been left friendless at Nazareth, she withdrew to Cana,[2] from which she may have come originally. Cana[3] was a little town at from two to two and a half hours' journey from Nazareth, at the foot …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem, …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus and John the Baptist Appear More Clearly than in their Attitude Towards Common Social
I The Friend of Men 223. In nothing does the contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist appear more clearly than in their attitude towards common social life. John had his training and did his work apart from the homes of men. The wilderness was his chosen and fit scene of labor. From this solitude he sent forth his summons and warning to his people. They who sought him for fuller teaching went after him and found him where he was. They then returned to their homes and their work, leaving the prophet …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Twelve Baskets Full of Fragments Gathered from the Miracle of Christ Feeding the Multitude.
1.--MAN NEEDS HELP. "They have nothing to eat." (Mark vi. 36.) 2.--GOD IS BETTER THAN GOOD MEN. "Send them away," said the disciples. (Mark vi. 36.) "They need not depart," the Lord replied. (Matt. xiv. 16.) 3.--MINISTERS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR THE CHILDREN, THEY GIVE HELP AS WELL AS TROUBLE. Andrew said, "There is a lad here." (John vi. 9.) 4.--YOUTH CAN GIVE TO JESUS WHAT NO ONE ELSE POSSESSES. "There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves." (John vi. 9.) 5.--UNBELIEF …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
CHAPTER XXIX. THE HISTORICAL BOOKS. 1. The New Testament, like the Old, is not an abstract system of doctrines and duties, but a record of facts involving doctrines and duties of the highest import. This record does not constitute an independent history, complete in itself, and to be explained in its own light. It is rather the necessary sequel to the record of the Old Testament. It interprets the Old Testament, and is itself interpreted by it. The two constitute together an organic whole, and can …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Right to Privacy
"There were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."--Mark 6:31 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them."--Matthew 9:36 I had just come back from a strenuous month in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Sprightly, the young married couple who were in charge of the mission station, and I were relaxing around the tea table. I told about the work I had been doing, and answered interested questions. Finally the talk drifted into lighter channels, and …
Mabel Williamson—Have We No Rights?

Set at Liberty.
(MARK VI. 27.) "Hush my soul, and vain regrets be stilled; Now rest in Him who is the complement Of whatsoe'er transcends our mortal doom, Of baffled hope and unfulfilled intent; In the clear vision and aspect of whom All longings and all hopes shall be fulfilled." ARCHBISHOP TRENCH. The Genesis of a Great Crime--The Strength of Evil Influences--An Accomplice of Satan--The Triumph of Hate--The Baptist Beheaded--A Place of Repentance The evangelist Mark tells us, in the twenty-first verse of this …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

The King's Courts
(MARK VI.) "The number of thine own complete, Sum up and make an end; Sift clean the chaff, and house the wheat; And then, O Lord, descend. "Descend, and solve by that descent This mystery of life; Where good and ill, together blent, Wage an undying strife." J. H. N. Under Royal Surveillance--"It is not Lawful."--The Revenge of Herodias--The Upbraidings of Conscience--Devotion to Truth--"A Sin unto Death." Our story brings us next to speak of the Baptist's relations with Herod Antipas, son of the …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Rejected in his Own Country
"And He went out from thence; and He cometh into His own country; and His disciples follow Him." MARK 6:1-6 (R.V.) WE have seen how St. Mark, to bring out more vividly the connection between four mighty signs, their ideal completeness as a whole, and that mastery over nature and the spiritual world which they reveal, grouped them resolutely together, excluding even significant incidents which would break in upon their sequence. Bearing this in mind, how profoundly instructive it is that our Evangelist …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

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