Mark 6:6-10
Mark 6:6 (KJB)
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the
villages, teaching.
Here Jesus had been astonished how rampant the unbelief was in His hometown of
Nazareth. I am sure that while He was growing up, He had spoken to many about
the truth of the Scriptures. When He was 12 years old He had amazed the
religious leaders in the temple with His knowledge. So even if He did speak to
these people, it shows what spiritual blindness and being spiritually dead are.
So Jesus left Nazareth and then went to a few of the surrounding villages where
He taught the Gospel.
Mark 6:7 (KJB)
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;
and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Jesus now calls to Himself the twelve disciples. They are now called “apostles”
because the word in the Greek behind “to send…forth” is the word “apostolon”
where we derive our word “apostle” from. Jesus had been preparing them for the
time when they would go out on their own and here is the first time they are
being sent by themselves, in pairs. Not only did they go forth to preach the
Gospel, but Jesus even gave them power over the unclean spirits. They would be
able to cast out devils from those who were possessed. This would show the
people they ministered to the power of the Kingdom of God and also the fact that
the Kingdom of God has arrived. (Mark 16:17 KJV) And these signs shall
follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues; Mark writes in the end of His Gospel that one of
the signs that would accompany the early church would be the ability to cast out
devils. (Acts 16:18 KJV) And this did she many days. But Paul, being
grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. In Philippi, Paul
did that very thing and it almost cost him his life.
Mark 6:8 (KJB)
And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff
only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
After the day of Pentecost, the disciples would become Apostles in an official
capacity but here they are being sent forth with specific instructions. The only
thing they are permitted to take with them is a staff for walking and to protect
themselves against any wild animals. They were not to take a scrip which was a
money bag which was a leather bag where they would keep their funds. Since they
were not to take any money, there would have been no need for the scrip. They
were not even to take any bread, that is, any sustenance. This journey may not
have been a long journey and these things would not be needed but more likely
Jesus was teaching them to have faith in God for their needs.
Mark 6:9 (KJB)
But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
They were definitely allowed to put on their sandals since they would be walking
the roads which would have many pebbles and sharp stones. They were also
forbidden to take two coats. Now if they were going to be sleeping outside at
night, they would definitely need a second coat to prevent themselves from
freezing. The one coat which they were allowed to take was a tunic which was an
under garment. Jesus was also teaching them that there was an urgency about
their short mission plus He was teaching them if He sends them someplace, then
He will provide for them.
Mark 6:10 (KJB)
And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide
till ye depart from that place.
They were not to make any provisions for their journey and were to completely
trust God for their necessities. This type of situation also placed a Gospel
obligation on the hearers of the messages the apostles preached. The Gospel does
not only place a demand of faith on the hearer, but it also requires action on
their part. (James 2:17 KJV) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone. Faith without works is dead. How can someone sit in a crowd
and hear everything being spoken about the Gospel and then refuse to do so much
as to house and feed the preachers. (Gal 6:6 KJV) Let him that is taught in
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Galatians
6:6 teaches that those who hear the Gospel from a preacher and if that preacher
is proclaiming the truth, then there should be no reason why that person’s
ministry should not be supported. Then the apostles are not to stay at a
different house each night. If they have found a host that gives them food and
roof over their head, then they are to remain at that residence until their
ministry in that place is complete.