Lesson 4: The Results of Belief and Unbelief

On the surface chapter 6 may seem to contain a series of unconnected stories from the life of Jesus. However, when read together I think we will find a common theme: faith. Recall that when Jesus began proclaiming the gospel, He urged the people to “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1.15). Faith was, and is, the determining factor of whether a person will be saved or not! Already in our study we’ve noted those who did not believe in Jesus: the scribes and Pharisees (Mark 3.22) and even Jesus’ own family (Mark 3.21). However, we’ve also seen how faith in Jesus led to remarkable healings (Mark 2.5; 5.34). In chapter 6 we will see the different results that come from believing or not believing, and also see how Jesus’ closest followers continued to struggle with their faith.

Notes from the text:

• Vs. 1: Jesus’ hometown was Nazareth (see Matthew 2.23).
• Vs. 2: contrast their skepticism with how the inhabitants of Capernaum were left in wonder at the teaching and miracles of Jesus (see Mark 1.21-28).
• Vs. 3:
  • Carpenter: “In Sirach 38:24–32, the skillful artisan who works with his hands is commended, but it is assumed that his business keeps him from ever becoming wise like the scribe. The scribe has greater leisure and can devote himself to the study of the law to gain greater wisdom (Sir. 39:1–11).” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
  • Son of Mary and brother of: “The argument that these are Jesus’ cousins has been concocted to support the idea of Mary’s perpetual virginity and has no basis in the Greek. Paul refers to James, whom he met, as ‘the Lord’s brother’ (Gal. 1:19), and to ‘the Lord’s brothers’ (1 Cor. 9:5); he does not use the Greek word for “cousins” (anepsioi), which he knows and uses elsewhere (Col. 4:10).” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
• Vs. 5: not that Jesus lacked the power, but rather in a climate of unbelief He chose not to exercise His power.
• Vs. 7: Note that the promise of this authority had been made in Mark 3.13-15. The twelve are His ambassadors, carrying His authority! They were sent out in pairs so that their collaborative testimony would be seen as valid (see Deuteronomy 17.6).
• Vss. 8-11: Jesus was imparting two lessons to His disciples: first, they needed to learn reliance on the Lord to provide. Thus the lack of provision. Second, they needed to understand that many places would reject them… even places where they thought they would be received. Even as Jesus had just been rejected at Nazareth.
• Vs. 12: they were proclaiming the same message as Jesus (see Mark 1.15).
• Vs. 14: Herod Antipas was the seventh son of Herod the Great. “Antipas was not technically a King, although his contemporaries may have referred to him as such. He lost his position in A.D. 39 after trying to gain complete sovereignty.” (ESV Study Bible)
• Vs. 17: “When Herod Antipas was staying with them on a visit to Rome, he fell in love with Herodias and brazenly proposed marriage. She agreed upon the condition that he divorce his current wife, the daughter of Aretas IV, king of Nabatea. The outraged Aretas began a border war that led to serious military losses for Herod Antipas.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
  
• Vs. 18: “Herod Antipas was not a Jew, yet John did not hesitate to tell him that he had violated the moral law of God (cf. Lev. 18:16). Similarly, the gospel message that people should “repent” (Mark 1:15; 6:12), which would eventually go to Gentiles as well as Jews, assumes that God holds all people in the world accountable to his moral laws as revealed in Scripture.” (ESV Study Bible)
• Vs. 22: “On any reading, Herod’s vulgarity is perverse; after taking his brother’s wife (cf. Lev 20:21), he lusts after his wife’s daughter (cf. Lev 20:14).” (IVP Bible Background Commentary)
• Vs. 34: based on Matthew’s account, Jesus had just heard of John’s death (see Matthew 14.13). That combined with the fact that Jesus wanted to spend some time alone with His apostles (vss. 30-31) makes Jesus’ compassion for the people even more remarkable; He viewed their needs as more significant than His own.
  • Note the connection between Jesus and the commission of Joshua (Numbers 27.16-18).
  • Finally, note that Jesus’ compassion FIRST moved Him to teach the people. He recognized their greatest need was the word of God.
• Vs. 37: Jesus’ instruction likely refers back to His giving the twelve authority (vs. 7). He had given them power of demons, did they believe that He would give them the power to meet the needs of the people? 200 denarii (200 days’ wages) would have been enough to purchase ~2400 loaves of bread.
  
• Vs. 48: the fourth watch of the night was between 3 and 6am.
• Vs. 52: note a similar reaction of the disciples in Mark 4.35-41. “Had they understood about the loaves, i.e., that the sovereign Lord of the universe was in action there, they would have been prepared to understand walking on water and calming waves. Their problem was a christological one. Not unlike Jesus’ opponents, ‘their hearts were hardened.’” (Expositors Bible Commentary)
• Vs. 55: contrast with Jesus’ reception at Nazareth (vss. 1-6).

Using the text in evangelism:

1. The results of belief and unbelief. The contrast between Jesus’ reception in his hometown of Nazareth (vss. 1-6) and His reception at Gennesaret (vss. 53-56) is astounding. As this chapter shows, there is no limit to what Jesus’ power can accomplish (He can feed 5000 with only 5 loaves and 2 fish). The only limiting factor is our faith! The people of Gennesaret believed Jesus could do anything, that they could be healed if they only touched the fringe of His garment. However, the people of Nazareth did not believe in Jesus, thus “He could do no mighty work there” (vs. 5). Do we want Jesus to accomplish great things in our lives? Do we want Him to truly heal us? Then we must have faith in Him (Mark 16.16).
2. Abundance is found in Jesus. I believe it is significant that the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all 4 gospel accounts. Jesus doesn’t just feed the people with limited resources, He provides an abundance (vs. 43). The fact that the leftovers filled 12 baskets certainly seems significant: 12 symbolizes God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments, thus Jesus can provide abundantly for ALL of God’s people. As Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35, ESV)
3. Faith has to grow. There is no doubt that the twelve had great faith in Jesus. After all, they were willing to leave everything to follow Him and they carried His message to the people (vs. 12). But as we read Mark we also see how their faith had to grow. They didn’t recognize that if Jesus gave them power over evil spirits (vs. 7) that He could also give them the ability to meet the needs of the people (vs. 37). They didn’t recognize that Jesus’ power to feed 5000 with just a few loaves and fish meant that He has complete power over nature (vss. 51-52). However, they were not offended at Jesus (like those in Nazareth, vs. 3), and as they stayed with Jesus, their faith would grow. The lesson for us is to continue looking to Jesus. Only then will our faith grow as it should.