Year of the Bible
Mark 6
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Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Mark, Chapter 6:
Jesus leaves the western side of the Sea of Galilee, likely heading south to Nazareth (vs. 1). In contrast to the positive faith in Jesus demonstrated by the diverse characters of Chapter 5, here Jesus is astonished at the lack of faith (vs. 6). Yet Jesus continues teaching and again sends out the Twelve to announce the Gospel and heal (vs. 6-13). Before hearing of their return, Mark offers an interlude narrative about John the Baptist, who lives the discipleship others are entering into throughout Mark’s Gospel (vs. 14-29). Crowds continue to seek out Jesus who has compassion on them because they lack a shepherd (vs. 34). Likewise, Jesus has compassion on the disciples who are in distress while crossing the Sea of Galilee (vs. 45-52).
The Gospel According to St. Mark, Chapter 6:
The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
1 He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.
The Mission of the Twelve
7 And he called to him the Twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
The Death of John the Baptist
14 King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ s name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” 23 And he vowed to her, “What ever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Feeding the Five Thousand
30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36 send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred de narii u worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Jesus Walks on the Sea
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were distressed in rowing, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” 51 And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
53 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran about the whole neighbor hood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
"He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics." (v. 8-9) Lord, your disciples were able to cast out demons, heal the sick and preach repentance while they brought with them almost nothing. Show me where I am attached to the things of this world and if that prevents me from doing what you are calling me to.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, an adult faith formation apostolate. cbsmich.org/join
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further
Marcos 6
1 Salió de allí y se fue a su ciudad, y le seguían
sus discípulos. 2 Y cuando llegó el
sábado comenzó a enseñar en la sinagoga,
y muchos de los que le oían decían admirados:
–¿De dónde sabe éste estas cosas? ¿Y
qué sabiduría es la que se le ha dado y
estos milagros que se hacen por sus manos?
3 ¿No es éste el artesano, el hijo de
María, y hermano de Santiago y de José
y de Judas y de Simón? ¿Y sus hermanas
no viven aquí entre nosotros?
Y se escandalizaban de él. 4 Y les decía
Jesús:
–No hay profeta que no sea menospreciado
en su tierra, entre sus parientes
y en su casa.
5 Y no podía hacer allí ningún milagro;
solamente sanó a unos pocos enfermos
imponiéndoles las manos. 6 Y se
asombraba por su incredulidad.
Y recorría las aldeas de los contornos
enseñando.
7 Y llamó a los doce y comenzó a enviarlos
de dos en dos, dándoles potestad
sobre los espíritus impuros. 8 Y les mandó
que no llevasen nada para el camino,
ni pan, ni alforja, ni dinero en la bolsa,
sino solamente un bastón; 9 y que fueran
calzados con sandalias y que no llevaran
dos túnicas. 10 Y les decía:
–Si entráis en una casa, quedaos allí
hasta que salgáis de aquel lugar. 11 Y si en
algún sitio no os acogen ni os escuchan,
al salir de allí sacudíos el polvo de los
pies en testimonio contra ellos.
12 Se marcharon y predicaron que se
convirtieran. 13 Y expulsaban muchos
demonios, y ungían con aceite a muchos
enfermos y los curaban.
14 Llegó esto a oídos del rey Herodes,
pues su nombre se había hecho famoso,
y decía:
–Juan el Bautista ha resucitado de
entre los muertos, y por eso actúan en
él unos poderes.
15 Otros decían:
–Es Elías.
Otros, en fin, decían:
–Es un profeta, igual que los demás
profetas.
16 Pero cuando lo oyó Herodes decía:
–Éste es Juan, a quien yo decapité,
que ha resucitado.
17 En efecto, el propio Herodes había
mandado apresar a Juan y le había
encadenado en la cárcel a causa de Herodías,
la mujer de su hermano Filipo;
porque se había casado con ella 18 y Juan
le decía a Herodes: «No te es lícito tener
a la mujer de tu hermano». 19 Herodías
le odiaba y quería matarlo, pero no
podía: 20 porque Herodes tenía miedo de
Juan, ya que se daba cuenta de que era
un hombre justo y santo. Y le protegía y
al oírlo le entraban muchas dudas; y le
escuchaba con gusto.
21 Cuando llegó un día propicio, en
el que Herodes por su cumpleaños dio
un banquete a sus magnates, a los tribunos
y a los principales de Galilea,
22 entró la hija de la propia Herodías,
bailó y gustó a Herodes y a los que con
él estaban a la mesa. Le dijo el rey a la
muchacha:
–Pídeme lo que quieras y te lo daré.
23 Y le juró varias veces:
–Cualquier cosa que me pidas te
daré, aunque sea la mitad de mi reino.
24 Y, saliendo, le dijo a su madre:
–¿Qué le pido?
–La cabeza de Juan el Bautista –contestó
ella.
25 Y al instante, entrando deprisa
donde estaba el rey, le pidió:
–Quiero que enseguida me des en
una bandeja la cabeza de Juan el Bautista.
26 El rey se entristeció, pero por el juramento
y por los comensales no quiso
contrariarla. 27 Y enseguida el rey envió
a un verdugo con la orden de traer su
cabeza. Éste se marchó, lo decapitó en la
cárcel 28 y trajo su cabeza en una bandeja,
y se la dio a la muchacha y la muchacha
la entregó a su madre. 29 Cuando se
enteraron sus discípulos, vinieron, tomaron
su cuerpo muerto y lo pusieron
en un sepulcro. 30 Reunidos los apóstoles con Jesús, le
explicaron todo lo que habían hecho y
enseñado. 31 Y les dice:
–Venid vosotros solos a un lugar
apartado, y descansad un poco.
Porque eran muchos los que iban y
venían, y ni siquiera tenían tiempo para
comer.
32 Y se marcharon en la barca a un lugar
apartado ellos solos.
33 Pero los vieron marchar, y muchos
los reconocieron. Y desde todas las ciudades,
salieron deprisa hacia allí por tierra
y llegaron antes que ellos. 34 Al desembarcar
vio una gran multitud y se
llenó de compasión por ella, porque estaban
como ovejas que no tienen pastor,
y se puso a enseñarles muchas cosas. 35 Y
cuando ya se hizo muy tarde, se acercaron
sus discípulos y le dijeron:
–Éste es un lugar apartado y ya es
muy tarde; 36 despídelos para que vayan
a las aldeas y pueblos de alrededor,
y compren algo de comer.
37 Y les respondió:
–Dadles vosotros de comer.
Y le dicen:
–¿Es que vamos a ir a comprar doscientos
denarios de pan para darles de
comer?
38 Él les dijo:
–¿Cuántos panes tenéis? Id a verlo.
Y después de averiguarlo dijeron:
–Cinco, y dos peces.
39 Entonces les mandó que acomodaran
a todos por grupos sobre la hierba
verde. 40 Y se sentaron en grupos de cien
y de cincuenta. 41 Tomando los cinco panes
y los dos peces, levantó los ojos al
cielo, pronunció la bendición, partió los
panes y se puso a dárselos a sus discípulos
para que los distribuyesen; también
repartió los dos peces para todos. 42 Comieron
todos hasta que quedaron satisfechos.
43 Y recogieron doce cestos llenos
de los trozos de pan y de los peces.
44 Los que comieron los panes eran cinco
mil hombres.
45 Y enseguida mandó a sus discípulos
que subieran a la barca y que se
adelantaran a la otra orilla junto a Betsaida,
mientras él despedía a la multitud.
46 Y después de despedirlos, se retiró
al monte a orar. 47 Cuando se hizo
de noche, la barca estaba en medio del
mar, y él solo en tierra. 48 Y viéndoles remar
con gran fatiga, porque el viento les
era contrario, hacia la cuarta vigilia de
la noche vino a ellos andando sobre el
mar, e hizo ademán de pasar de largo.
49 Ellos, cuando lo vieron andando sobre
el mar, pensaron que era un fantasma y
empezaron a gritar. 50 Pues todos le habían visto y se habían asustado. Pero al
instante él habló con ellos, y les dijo:
–Tened confianza, soy yo, no tengáis
miedo.
51 Y subió con ellos a la barca y se calmó
el viento. Entonces se quedaron mucho
más asombrados; 52 porque no habían
entendido lo de los panes, ya que
su corazón estaba endurecido.
53 Acabaron la travesía hasta la costa,
llegaron a Genesaret y atracaron.
54 Cuando bajaron de la barca, enseguida
lo reconocieron. 55 Y recorrían toda
aquella región, y adonde oían que estaba
él le traían sobre las camillas a todos
los que se sentían mal. 56 Y en cualquier
lugar que entraba, en pueblos o en ciudades
o en aldeas, colocaban a los enfermos
en las plazas, y le suplicaban que
les dejase tocar al menos el borde de su
manto; y todos los que le tocaban quedaban
sanos.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
"Les mandó que no llevaran nada para el viaje más que un báculo; ni pan, ni alforja, ni dinero en el cinturón; pero que usaran sandalias y no se pusieran dos túnicas". (v. 8-9) Señor, tus discípulos pudieron echar demonios, sanar a los enfermos y predicar a la gente que se arrepintiera mientras no traían consigo casi nada. Muéstrame dónde estoy apegado a las cosas de este mundo y si eso me impide hacer lo que me estás llamando a hacer.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).