Mark 6

Who Is This Man Jesus?

The miracles Jesus performed were remarkable, but most of the people did not understand who Jesus really was. In Mark 6 we read about how He was thought of by the people of His hometown; by the ruler, Herod; and by His own disciples, who still misunderstood Him. Think about your testimony of Jesus as you read this chapter and imagine how you might have tried to help people understand Jesus if you had been there when the events in Mark 6 occurred.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Mark 6

Mark 6:1–6—Matthew 13:54–58

Mark 6:7–13—Matthew 10; Luke 9:1–6

Mark 6:14–15—Matthew 14:1–2; Luke 9:7–9

Mark 6:17–29—Matthew 14:3–12; Luke 3:19–20

Mark 6:30–56—Matthew 14:13–36; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–21

Understanding the Scriptures

Mark 6

From whence hath this man these things? (v. 2)Where did he learn these things?

Kin (v. 4)Family

Save a staff (v. 8)Except a walking stick

Scrip (v. 8)A bag for food or clothing

It shall be more tolerable (v. 11)The punishment will be less

Abroad (v. 14)In many different places

Executioner (v. 27)Person who puts people to death

Leisure (v. 31)Rest, free time

Ran afoot thither (v. 33)Traveled on foot there

Companies; ranks (vv. 39–40)Groups

Fragments (v. 43)Pieces left over

Constrained (v. 45)Commanded

Even (v. 47)Night, evening

Contrary unto (v. 48)Against

Fourth watch of the night (v. 48)Just before sunrise

Mark 6:17–19—“It Is Not Lawful for Thee to Have Thy Brother’s Wife”

Herodias, wife of Herod at the time of this story, had been the wife of Herod’s half-brother Philip. She had divorced him in order to marry Herod, and Herod had divorced his first wife and married Herodias. Marrying one’s brother’s wife while he was still alive was forbidden by the law of Moses (see Leviticus 20:21). It was also wrong to divorce a spouse because of an interest in someone else (see Matthew 5:31–32). Herodias’ actions seem to indicate that she felt guilty, and rather than repent, she chose to get rid of the person who reminded her of her guilt—John the Baptist.

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Mark 6.

1. Jesus Returns to His Hometown

   1. According to Mark 6:1–6, how was Jesus received when He returned to “his own country,” meaning His home town of Nazareth?

   2. What blessings were withheld from those people because of their attitude? (see v. 5).

   3. How can this story apply to our dealings with local and general Church leaders today?

2. Responding to Guilt

   1. In Mark 6:14–28, what did Herod do that might show he felt guilty about something?

   2. How did Herodias respond to her guilt?

   3. What should we do when we experience guilt for our sins?

   4. Compare what happens when we try to cover our guilt and sins (see D&C 121:37) to what happens when we humble ourselves and repent (see Enos 1:4–8; Mosiah 4:2–3).

3. Learning about the Savior

   List two things you learn about the character, nature, or power of Jesus from the story in Mark 6:31–44.