RSV ~ Mark 6 Notes
Mk 6:1 | ISB Notes
his own country: Nazareth, the Galilean village where Jesus was raised (Mt 2:23). Following an earlier incident recorded in Lk 4:16-30, this episode marks the second rejection of Jesus by his kinsfolk.
Mk 6:3 | ISB Notes
brother ⌠his sisters: Jesusâ cousins or more distant relatives (CCC 500). They are not siblings from the same Virgin Mother. See note on Mt 12:46.
Mk 6:4 | ISB Notes
not without honor: Jesus adapts a common proverb to explain his rejection: like the OT prophets before him, Jesus is persecuted and rejected for preaching the word of the Lord (Mt 5:11-12; Heb 11:32-38). Jesus is often called a prophet in the Gospels (Mt 21:11; Lk 7:16; 13:33; 24:19; Jn 4:19).
Mk 6:7-13 | ISB Notes
Jesus dispatches the Twelve two by two as emissaries to the surrounding Galilean towns (Mt 10:5-6). It is his authority that empowers their ministry of exorcism, healing, and preaching (Mt 10:1). Their mission is a training exercise for leadership in the Church, when they will be summoned to embrace evangelical poverty (6:8-9) and to trust in God for daily provisions (6:11).
⢠Morally (St. Gregory the Great, Hom. in Evan. 17): Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs to signify that the twin precepts of charity are indispensable for the duty of Christian preaching. Those entrusted with this mission must always exemplify the love of God and neighbor.
Mk 6:11 | ISB Notes
shake off the dust: A symbolic act of judgment for those who reject the apostlesâ preaching. See note on Mt 10:14.
Mk 6:13 | ISB Notes
anointed with oil: A symbol of healing and a medicinal agent in the ancient world (Is 1:6; Lk 10:34).
⢠According to the Council of Trent, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is âsuggestedâ by this text (Sess. 14, chap. 1). Whether or not this episode marks the formal institution of the sacrament, it is clear the disciplesâ ministry anticipates its future administration in the life of the Church (Jas 5:14-15; CCC 1511-16).
Mk 6:14-29 | ISB Notes
A narrative âflashbackâ on past events. Mark recounts this episode to dispel rumors that John the Baptist and Jesus are the same person (6:16; 8:28). Johnâs execution foreshadows both the death of Jesus (9:12; 10:32-34) and the martyrdom of other believers in the early Church (Rev 20:4; CCC 523).
Mk 6:14 | ISB Notes
King Herod: Herod Antipas. After the death of Herod the Great (4/1 B.C.), the Roman Emperor Augustus divided the kingdom in Palestine among three of Herodâs sons. Herod Antipas was the son who received the title âtetrarchâ (Mt 14:1) and governed the regions of Galilee and Perea until A.D. 39. His brothers Archelaus and Philip were apportioned the remainder of their late fatherâs territory. Since âtetrarchâ is not strictly a royal title, the use of âKingâ here probably reflects popular usage and is not intended literally (Mt 14:9).
Mk 6:18 | ISB Notes
your brotherâs wife: John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed for publicly repudiating the illicit union of Herod Antipas and Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Philip. According to Lev 18:16 and 20:21, the Mosaic Law forbids the union of a man with his brotherâs wife when the brother is still living. Since Philip was alive and well, the marriage between Antipas and Herodias was no marriage at allâit was adultery. See note on Mt 14:4.
Mk 6:23 | ISB Notes
Whatever you ask me: Herodâs oath recalls a similar banquet scene in Esther 5-7.
⢠Queen Esther was giving a feast for the Persian King Ahasuerus when he promised to grant her any request, even half of his kingdom (Esther 7:1-2). Esther then requested that the king spare the life of the Jews throughout the Persian empire (Esther 7:3-4). This OT scenario is the mirror opposite of Markâs narrative: unlike righteous Esther, the sinful Herodias seizes the opportunity to bid for the execution of a righteous Jew.
Mk 6:24 | ISB Notes
The head of John: The prompt response of Herodias, in light of her âgrudgeâ against John (6:19), suggests his demise was premeditated. The careless oath of Herod Antipas afforded the opportune moment for Herodias to implement her plan (6:26).
Mk 6:26 | ISB Notes
exceedingly sorry: Herodâs remorse is overshadowed by his injustice. His reputation before the prestigious company of high officials (6:21) was more important to him than a fair trial and, ultimately, Johnâs life.
Mk 6:34 | ISB Notes
sheep without a shepherd: A familiar simile from the OT.
⢠It generally depicts Israelâs need for spiritual leadership (Num 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jud 11:19; Jer 23:1-3; Zech 10:2). Ultimately God himself promised to shepherd his sheep through the Messiah (Ezek 34:23; Jn 10:1116).
Mk 6:35-44 | ISB Notes
The miracle of the loaves looks both to the past and to the future. (1) It recalls miraculous feedings from the OT, like the heavenly manna God provided for Israel in the wilderness (Ex 16) and the multiplied loaves and leftover baskets provided by Elisha (2 Kings 4:42-44). (2) It also anticipates the later institution of the Eucharist, where the same string of verbs (taking ⌠blessed ⌠broke ⌠gave) is found together, something that occurs only here and at the Last Supper (14:22; CCC 1335).
Mk 6:37 | ISB Notes
two hundred denarii: A single âdenariusâ is equivalent to a laborerâs daily wage. Over half a yearâs wages would be required to purchase food for the multitude.
Mk 6:41 | ISB Notes
gave them to the disciples: Jesus does not give the multiplied bread directly to the crowds but distributes it to them by the hands of his apostles.
⢠This mediation foreshadows their role as New Covenant priests, when they apportion to Godâs people the heavenly bread that Jesus provides in the Eucharist (cCC 1564).
Mk 6:45 | ISB Notes
Bethsaida: Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (Jn 1:44; 12:21).
Mk 6:48 | ISB Notes
the fourth watch: Between 3 and 6 A.M. The evening hours between 6 P.M. and 6 A.M. were divided into four âwatchesâ (13:35).
Mk 6:50 | ISB Notes
it is I: Or, âI amâ.
⢠Jesus takes for himself the 5divine name âI AMâ that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14).
This claim to divinity is corroborated as Jesus does what only God can do: he treads upon the sea (Job 9:8).
⢠Mystically (Glossa ordinaria): Jesus walks on the water to reveal the mystery of his sinlessness. It is because he is entirely free from the weight of sin that he can stride safely across the sea without sinking.
Mk 6:53 | ISB Notes
Gennesaret: A village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Mk 6:56 | ISB Notes
the fringe of his garment: Moses instructed the 6 Israelites to wear tassels on their clothing as visible reminders to keep Godâs commandments (Num 15:38-40).
⢠Jesus often makes tangible things such as spittle (8:23), clay (Jn 9:6), clothing (5:28-29), and water (Jn 9:7) channels of his healing power. He thus prepares the way for the seven sacraments of the New Covenant, which heal the body and soul as visible instruments of grace (CCC 1504).