Mark 5-7 Dirty Hands and Traditions
Psalm 119:65-72 The Greater Good
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word. 68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts. 70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver."
Observations: 119:65-72 Three themes stand out in this section:
the goodness of God, who promised, does, and gives good;
the desire of the psalmist for God to teach him His word, which he desires more than gold;
the benefit of chastising affliction to help the psalmist better obey God's word.
119:66 Because the psalmist believes in the benefits of obedience, he asks God to teach him good taste/behavior/judgment and knowledge, or the right things to do.
119:69-70 The proud always have to put someone down to feel better about themselves, including smearing the righteous with lies (the devil's work, for which they'll get paid back). The proud don't wholeheartedly seek God, in fact their heart is so insensitive to Him that they only delight in sin.
Application: God gets our attention in our affliction, so He can correct us, and give us what's good, as we learn His word. It's OK to study the Bible when you're feeling good, too.
Prayer: Good God, I praise You for revealing Yourself to be infinitely good. Therefore, even a affliction can be seen as a good thing from You, so I can better learn Your truth. Amen.
Proverbs 27:23-27 Know the Status Quo
Pr 27:23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds: 24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations. 25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in. 26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field. 27 There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls."
Observations: 25:23-27 If we are diligent (rather than sluggardly) and pay the cost of being attentive to the means of our production (flocks and herds in their day), we will have plenty. If you're involved in farming there is a direct application. Otherwise think in terms of the skills and services you have, and offer. Are they sufficient to provide a return that is adequate for your needs? If you're involved in ministry, the imagery applies fairly well: spiritually healthy believers not only reproduce, but yield a return on the investment to those who shepherd them (but the shepherds and overseers need to know what's going on, and take corrective and preemptive action). In the OT, when the priests taught the law and people obeyed it, God blessed, and there were more sacrifices and offerings being given. Riches and crowns don't endure, therefore each generation must do what it takes (constant vigilance) to ensure that their skills and assets can produce their desired yield.
Application: Trusting God does not absolve us from the responsibility to do what He says, which in this case is being diligent to know what the current state of affairs is, and what it will produce.
Prayer: Lord, thanks that You are the one who meets my needs as I follow Your will and wisdom; help me see whatever I need to do in order to get the best return on the investment of my life. Amen.
Mark 5-6 These chapters describe Jesus ministering to the multitudes and encountering opposition from worldlings and religious traditionalists. Incorrect (unBiblical) values residing in the heart, make us slow to grasp truth, and disqualify us from blessing. When we faithfully respond to truth, God meets our needs. Jesus sends out the twelve, and works on helping them develop a Biblical world view (which reaches full flower in the next post).
Mark 5 Living in an Imperfect World
21 When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. 22 Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and begged him much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live."
24 He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. 25 A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, 27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. 28 For she said, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 His disciples said to him, "You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’" 32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease."
24 He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. 25 A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, 27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. 28 For she said, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 His disciples said to him, "You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’" 32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease."
35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?" 36 But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Don’t be afraid, only believe." 37 He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. 39 When he had entered in, he said to them, "Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep." 40 They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. 41 Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which means, being interpreted, "Girl, I tell you, get up!" 42 Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.
Observations: 5:1-21 After being delivered, the man was clothed and in his right mind; most people get half of that. He wanted to be with Jesus as His disciple (same language as in Mk 3:14 when Jesus appointed the twelve), but God had other plans for him. In light of the rejection of the townspeople (people cared more about the swine than the Savior), rather than telling him to keep quiet, Jesus told him to go and proclaim what great things Jesus had done for him in showing him mercy. This is something that all people who have a relationship with God should be doing, for God should be doing great things for them. Those who can only tell of a historic conversion experience, are either newborn Christians, or haven't been following Jesus as His disciple.
5:21-43 The healing of the woman who spent all she had on doctors and was no better, but worse (times haven't changed) is sandwiched in-between the account of Jairus, who Mark tells us is a ruler of the synagogue. (See comments on Mt 9.) Giving the daughter time to die, gives Jairus an opportunity to demonstrate extraordinary faith, and Jesus the opportunity to display His glory. Those who don't know God ridicule expectations of His workings, because it is outside of their experience. As the Lord of Life, Jesus commands, and it happens. Getting resurrected must make one hungry (Lk 24:41). He didn't resurrect her with a full tummy. Eating food showed she was really alive, not an illusion, and in good health.
Application: God allows difficulties into our imperfect world to give us opportunities to trust Him, and to display His glory through us.
1Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Prayer: God, please give me grace, and patience and faith to be content with the trials You've allowed into my life, as I await Your perfect plan to remove or resolve them for Your glory. Don't let me suffer stupidly for my sin, but guide me in trusting You. Amen.
Mark 6 Jesus Pulls an All-nighter
7 He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, 9 but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them.
14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets." 16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead." 17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife." 19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." 24 She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" She said, "The head of John the Baptizer." 25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter." 26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30 The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 34 Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, "This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They asked him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?" 38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate, and were filled. 43 They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 44 Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. 46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. 47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, 49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid." 51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; 52 for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. 56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
Observations: 6:1-6 Smart people are able to recognize when their paradigm for looking at life, or world view, needs a refocus to take into account new developments. The great unwashed might notice something is different, but reject it because it doesn't fit their parochial paradigm. Such was the case with Jesus' neighbors; they do not become His disciples because they can't wrap their heads around the evidence that the Jesus they knew could do miracles, and teach truth wisely. Note that in verse 4 members of His own house (Jesus' brothers and sisters) are distinguished from relatives (kinsmen), and townsfolk. None of them were “brethren,” as in disciples. Mary and Joseph had other kids (there is no historical evidence for a foster home system existing at that time). Time for some smart people to shift the paradigm from tradition to truth. So after having been rejected in favor of pigs, Jesus gets rejected in favor of preconceptions.
6:7-29 Jesus sends the disciples out two by two (a good teamwork model) and gives instructions similar to Matthew 10 (please see there for observations on the commissioning and the death of John the Baptist).
6:30 The disciples were given a specific task (preached that people should repent -v12), and the authority to accomplish it (cast out demons -v7,13) Leaders and parents should take note of those two items (specific task and authority) as well as the next managerial task. After they returned, Jesus debriefed them about all they said and did. Smart leaders use this procedure to evaluate and learn and instruct. Wise parents (and husbands) should make it a regular habit to listen to those in their care to know not just the what went on, but how things are processed, and what values are in play. It then helps to be as wise as a serpent to know what items should be addressed directly then, and what should be left unsaid til a more opportune time. Not being sensitive to the situation or the Spirit will leave you with no words to hear, even if you have ears.
6:31-44 When they returned, it was time for a little leisure. Someone quipped that if they didn't “come apart” (for R&R ), they'd “come apart” (as in breakdown). This is a wise and valid principle; the burdens of the world were not meant to rest upon the shoulders of an individual (except Jesus). Some people serve til they drop, becoming increasingly ineffective as they try to increase their worth and value by what they do. They usually lose their families and ministry in the process. Jesus said His yoke was light (Mt 11:30). He judges based upon faithfulness, not fatigue. But notice that they never got their leisure! They sail to a deserted place and are greeted by a great multitude of cross-country runners. Rather than turning them away, Jesus had compassion upon them and taught them. Not only does He spend the day teaching them, He wants the disciples to feed them. The feeding of the 5,000 parallels that in Matthew 14 (please see for comments). He makes them aware of their need; they place what they have a His disposal; and He supernaturally multiplies it to meet the needs of others. In verse 41 the word “gave” is in the imperfect tense, indicating ongoing action. Apparently, the food multiplied in Jesus' hands as He broke it, and kept giving it to them until five thousand men (and everyone else) was filled. Each disciple got a basket of leftovers, but even with the evidence in their hands they still had trouble rearranging their paradigm to accommodate new information (see 6:52).
6:45-56 Jesus sent them away in the boat, and spent time recharging His batteries in prayer. He saw they were distressed by the storm, and walks across the water to help them. He calms the sea, and then the disciples. They hadn't understood about the loaves that Jesus takes care of those seeking to learn and do His will. Mark doesn't record Peter walking on water, but does indicate that their comprehension was compromised by their calloused hearts. This is not the callousness or hardening that comes from sin (for none is mentioned in connection with the loaves), but an insensitivity to understanding what God was doing, and changing their paradigms about God and life. In contrast to the disciples' slowness to rearrange their categories, Jesus encounters people who have shifted their paradigm in the region around Gennesaret. Although the exact locations are difficult to pinpoint, this is the same area where Jesus had healed the demoniac at the beginning of chapter 5, and the pig preferers had begged Him to leave. Apparently, as a result of the ministry of he-who-was-clothed-and-in-his-right-mind, a different reception awaited Jesus. He continues His ministry wherever He goes.
Application: I wonder how much of God's blessing we miss because we are not quick to believe truth and incorporate it into our world view.
Prayer: Lord, may I be quick to listen, and quick to assimilate and apply Your truth to my life. Thanks for being all-sufficient for all my needs; may my ministry reflect my reliance upon You. Amen.
Mark 7 Truth vs Tradition
31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis. 32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. 36 He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 They were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!"
Observations: 7:1-23 A delegation treks 60 miles from Jerusalem to investigate Jesus and discover to their horror, that His disciples aren't washing their hands properly before eating. Mark explains the tradition and others to his Roman readers in verses 3-5. Jesus cordially quotes Isaiah 29:13 calling them hypocrites. See comments on Matthew 15. Jesus blasts them for teaching tradition (most theology could fit here too), rather than truth, saying that the nullification of the word of God has nullified their worship. He then called the multitude to instruct them that defilement (which results in exclusion from true worship and thus God's blessings and presence) is not a matter of external eating (or not eating) but of internal purity. Anything eaten doesn't go into the heart, which is the heart of the matter. Mark adds an aside that Jesus' statement makes all foods pure/clean (which Peter learned in Acts 10). Mark records, in comparison to Matthew, almost double the list of things with come out of the heart and defile a person. In case you're wondering how these things reside in one's heart, it works like this. The heart (the “will”) is where we decide what we will do or feel, or value. We might think certain things, but it is the heart/will which turns those thoughts in to actions. Each of the sins mentioned starts with our thinking or value system. A value system shaped by Satan's lies, will always decide for Satan's will, resulting in sin and death. (Ever heard of Eden?) To change one's heart, one needs to replace the lies of Satan or tradition with the truth (Rm 12:1-2), and then act in accord with the truth. See the application below.
7:24-30 Jesus tries another attempt at R&R, His only time out of the country since His parents took Him to Egypt to escape Herod. A Greek woman begs Him to heal her demon possessed daughter. He refuses because His mission was first to Israel, and then through them to the world. But because of her humility and faith (belief that Jesus was the only solution to her problem, and it was only a crumb for Him to do it), He responds and heals her daughter. This is Mark's only record of Jesus healing at a distance. Then Jesus returns to Israel. It's possible that the sole reason Jesus went to Tyre was to compassionately cure the woman's child, or to prefigure the blessings that would come to the Gentiles.
7:31-37 The last miracle in the chapter prefigures what will be happening to the disciples in the central section of the book (next chapters). Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. He does this one in private. He communicates to the man what He is going to do, possibly as a means of igniting his faith, then opens his ears, and loosens his tongue. Unfortunately, He can't get other people to hold theirs, and His reputation and resultant problems increase.
Application: Take a look at each of the “defilements” listed in 7:21-22 and identify how it arises from faulty thinking and values. Then consider the corrective truth. See Lies We Believer (that keep us bound to sin) on Truthbase.net for help. Hint: the majority of the sins listed arise from in incorrect belief that God isn't good, has not, and will not provide what you need to be happy or content, therefore you must do/say/have what you want (or is right in your sight) rather than what is right in God's sight. (Sound familiar?)
Prayer: God, may Your truth occupy central place in my heart, and may all my decisions be made in accord with it. Open my eyes to how an incorrect understanding of Your word, or tradition, or a slowness to hear You, might be disqualifying me from Your blessings. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God displays His power to meet the needs of individuals who seek Him, and draw them into a deeper relationship with Him. He preserves His servants, and gives them all they need to do His will. He calls His servants home when their task is done.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus receives a mixed reception, rejected by His home town, the religious establishment and even the people He came to save. He denounces hypocrisy in no uncertain terms, yet shows compassion to those who faithfully seek the truth. Jesus did all things well, but they still called for His crucifixion.
Us in a nutshell: We can follow truth or tradition. We can believe things that will result in blessings of protection and prosperity, or we can believe things that will result in defilement and distance from God. Those who demonstrate decisive faith in God's promises get delivered.
Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net
Mark complete text
Mark 5
5:1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 When he had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him out of the tombs. 3 He lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains, 4 because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him. 5 Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me." 8 For he said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 He asked him, "What is your name?" He said to him, "My name is Legion, for we are many." 10 He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding. 12 All the demons begged him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them." 13 At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea. 14 Those who fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. 16 Those who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs. 17 They began to beg him to depart from their region. 18 As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 He didn’t allow him, but said to him, "Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you." 20 He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marvelled.
21 When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. 22 Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and begged him much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live." 24 He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. 25 A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, 27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. 28 For she said, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 His disciples said to him, "You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’" 32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease."
35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?" 36 But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Don’t be afraid, only believe." 37 He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. 39 When he had entered in, he said to them, "Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep." 40 They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. 41 Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which means, being interpreted, "Girl, I tell you, get up!" 42 Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.
Mark 6
6:1 He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. 2 When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. 6 He marvelled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
7 He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, 9 but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them.
14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets." 16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead." 17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife." 19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." 24 She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" She said, "The head of John the Baptizer." 25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter." 26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30 The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 34 Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, "This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They asked him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?" 38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate, and were filled. 43 They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 44 Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. 46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. 47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, 49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid." 51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marvelled; 52 for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. 56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
Mark 7
7:1 Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" 6 He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 "For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things." 9 He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honour your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God";’ 12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this." 14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" 17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him, 19 because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?" 20 He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
24 From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice. 25 For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered him, "Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs." 29 He said to her, "For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.
31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis. 32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. 36 He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 They were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!"
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