v1: Jesus returned to His home town, Nazareth, or perhaps Capernaum (Matt 11.20), in which most of His mighty works had been done.

v2: As in previous chapters, Mark records the mixed reactions of the people; amazed; they took offence at Him (v3); He was amazed at their lack of faith (v6). Although the people listened, and spoke with approval at His words, there was no real faith and commitment.

v3: The phrase, "Mary's son" may be an accusation of illegitimacy (as in John 8.41); the people of His home town spoke hurtful and critical things of Christ here. Many Jews studied to become Rabbis, but Jesus didn't; they therefore struggled to accept the legitimacy of His teaching.

The word 'carpenter' is in Greek, TEKTON. This refers to a craftsman. He would select a suitable tree, cut it down, transport it back to his home, before using it to create useful items. Here is great skill and strength. Assuming Joseph had died some years earlier, Jesus continued his business to support the family.

v4: The Lord Jesus commented that a prophet is without honour only in his home town.

v5-6: We cannot say that Jesus was limited by their lack of faith, but rather that they missed out on great blessing (Matt 13.58); the Lord's ability remained the same. Indeed, the Lord Himself noted their “lack of faith.” However, this did not prevent Him from working from village to village.

v7: After the challenge to recognise who Jesus really was, the next challenge was to serve Him; Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs, enjoying fellowship in service (as in Acts 13.2). There was a special problem of evil spirits, and Jesus gave them power for this (3.15 also). Eccl 4.9-10 tells us that "though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." The two-by-two model is simple and practical. The same in Luke 10.1-3.

v8-10: Jesus gave clear instructions, that the Twelve were to depend on God for all their needs; in Luke 22.35, He asked, "Did you lack anything?"

v11: Many did not share their love for Christ; the disciples shook the dust off their feet as a testimony against them; to reject Christ is a serious thing.

v12: The message was one of repentance, as John and Christ had preached.

v13: God honoured His word, and there was much blessing through the disciples. This was important, as one day the Lord would not be with them. A few verses earlier (v5), we read that Jesus lay his hands on a few sick people and healed them. Here, the twelve anointed many with oil and healed them. Without wishing to draw too strong a conclusion, this is a hint towards the 'greater works' comment in John 14.12.

v14-29: The martyrdom of John Baptist; he had known who Jesus was, and had served Him faithfully. This incident is in parenthesis.

King Herod (Matt 2) had four sons who became tetrarchs over different parts of Israel;

• Archelaus (Matt 2.2), later replaced by Pontius Pilate (Luke 3.1);
• Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, Decapolis, Perea, which was much of the area where Jesus ministered; Herod had heard of Jesus and His miracles (v14; Luke 23.6-8);
• Philip was married to Herodias (v17), he was tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis;
• Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene (Luke 3.1).

v14-16: Herod was unclear as to who Jesus was; he tried to fit things together; he had clearly had some respect for John (v20), although he had had him beheaded. We see also that there were various opinions about Jesus (v15; 8.28).

v17-18: John was prepared to proclaim the truths of God to the ungodly, even at the risk of his life (v19).

v19-20: John's ministry had some impact upon Herod; compare Pilate's respect for Jesus (Luke 23.14, 20), and Agrippa's respect for Paul (Acts 26); in each case, there was respect that fell short of repentance and faith on Christ.

v21-22: Whatever influence John had, the dancing of Herodias' daughter pleased Herod; his overwhelming desire was carnal, not spiritual.

v23: Herod made his promise before the nobles, high officers, and chief men of Galilee (v21); Herodias took the opportunity to have John killed, and Herod could not refuse (v26). Herodias' daughter, representing her mother, wanted to keep her sin.

A similar offer was made to Esther (Esth 5.6); her response was one of salvation for God's people. How different to the ungodly attitudes of Herod's family.

The greatest man born of woman (Matt 11.11) was killed; a rash promise, a selfish response, and a quick execution, and John was dead.

v30: We rejoin the narrative from v13; the disciples reported back to Jesus the things they had seen and done; see also Acts 15.12; 21.19; it is important that the servants of God are accountable to one another. The disciples acknowledged the Jesus was the Lord of the Harvest. We note too that Judas Iscariot was among the Twelve; we presume that his report was not different from the others.

v31-32: The Lord, having received back the Twelve, took them aside for a period of rest, and perhaps opportunity to reflect and learn together. This is an example to honour and follow.

v33-34: Their plans were frustrated; we cannot say that Jesus didn't know what was going to happen, but Mark doesn't mention that; he continues to present Jesus as the busy servant, full of concern for needy people, perhaps stretched by their constant demands, and working to teach them and to feed them. Jesus showed the disciples that they had to put aside their own needs, and care for others.

The people came for different reasons (compare John 6.14-15); they were like sheep without a shepherd, wandering and aimless. This was reflected in their various opinions about Christ (v15; 8.28). Jesus was still near His own country (v4), where many did not accept Him.

v35-36: The disciples' reaction was to send the people away; this was understandable, but thoughtless and uncaring compared to the Lord's compassion. We must be prepared to be inconvenienced by others.

v37-38: The Lord's instructions; to carry out a physical evaluation of what food was available; no one could accuse the Lord of having brought the food anyway. It was clear that there was a wonderful miracle that all the people ate and were filled.

v39-40: The people sat down in groups, as they had come from different places (v33), and doubtless more from some than from others.

v41: The Lord looked up to heaven and gave thanks; a simple example for us to follow.

v42: The people all ate and were filled, such was the scale of the miracle.

v43: Nothing was wasted (Is 55.11). There were 12 small baskets, presumably for the disciples. In 8.8, there were seven large baskets (or hampers).

v45: The disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee; they had to learn to trust God without the physical presence of the Lord Jesus.

v46: The Lord Jesus went alone to pray. He maintained this practice quite regularly.

v47-48: The disciples struggled against the wind for some hours; the fourth watch was 3.00 - 6.00 a.m. Here was divine wisdom, leaving the disciples, so as to strengthen their faith, and knowing when to go to them. Abraham waited 24 years for a son; Jacob 7 years for Rachel; Joseph 13 years for freedom; and David about 10 years for the kingdom.

"He saw the disciples"; their struggles were fully known to Christ; He is never ignorant of our circumstances. He always knows and cares. "He was about to pass them by"; they could have prayed to God.

v49-51: The Lord Jesus had the power of God, to walk on the water, and to calm the wind (not a storm this time). The disciples struggled to take all this in, they were terrified. No wonder Jesus' words were "Take courage...don't be afraid."

v52: The different signs were for the benefit of the disciples as well, but they were slow to understand. Mark portrays the disciples as keen, but lacking in spiritual understanding; they have things to say, but they are eclipsed by the perfect wisdom and spiritual zeal of Christ. However, there was 12-18 months before Christ would be taken from them, during which time they doubtless matured in their faith and understanding.

v53: See 5.1-20, when Jesus went to Gennesaret with the Twelve.

v54-56: The people recognised Jesus and welcomed Him; this was doubtless the result of the witness of the demon possessed man. Jesus healed many; as in 1.34; 3.10; this was not His whole ministry, but it was an important part of it. Nothing was too difficult for the Lord, and He was never too busy to bless.

Mark emphasises Jesus' power and concern for the people; He was the busy servant, healing many everywhere He went. There is less emphasis on the faith, or lack of faith, on the part of those being healed. Clearly not all who were healed became followers of Jesus; later, in the early church, not all who believed were healed.