Mark 6

6:5-6.  He could do few miracles there, but only because they were unwilling to come to him.  He heals all who come (cf. John 5:40).

     6:12.  Repent?  Who were they to impose their morals on others?  The logic of naturalistic humanism works like this:  Since man has no creator, he is answerable only to himself.  All men are equal.  Therefore, all morality is equal.  The Pharisees believed in a Creator, but they set themselves in his place, with the same results (7:7-9).

     6:14-29.  Preaching repentance, as John did, to those who hold to a morality based on human sovereignty and power is dangerous work.  The Herods were Idumaeans (i.e. Edomites, descendants of Esau).  A carnal minded disregard for the spiritual was typical.

     6:23.  Such an extravagant offer was not to be taken literally (if you wanted to be alive to enjoy it).  Still, it was not an empty gesture (26).  Herodias got her moment.  As for John, see Luke 21:16b, 18.

     6:30-44.  In some ways, this is like a new Exodus.  The Passover was at hand (John 6:4).  A mixed multitude came out to a lonely place (32,33).  Because they were like sheep without a shepherd, the Lord appointed a man named Joshua (Jesus) over them (Nu.27:15-18; Zech.10:2).  They ate bread from heaven (John 6:32-33).

     6:38.  A lad had the loaves and fish (John 6:9).

     6:39.  Ps.23:1-2a.

     6:47.  They were about 3 or 4 miles off shore (John 6:19).

     6:48.  Fourth watch is the morning watch, 3-6 a.m.  Cf.Ps.130:6.

     God walks the sea.  Gen.1:2; Job 9:8; Ps.77:19.

     “He intended to pass them by.” Ex.33:19; 34:6.

     6:50.  “It is I,” (Greek, “I am.”  Cf.Ex.3:14).

     6:52.  “…their heart was hardened,” (i.e. about the miracle of the loaves, cf.8:17-21.  They were dull of mind about who Jesus was.  This was for our sakes, for we would not be convinced by men who believed too easily.  Our hearts are hard, too.

     6:56.  Touching the tassels.  See notes at Mark 5:27-28.