JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE

Mark 6:1-13 / Keywords 6:7

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

 

6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Footnotes

a. Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph

1. Jesus is amazed by their lack of faith (1-6)

When Jesus preached in the synagogue in his hometown, the people were at first amazed by his power and authority. But then they looked at his humble origins and began to feel superior to him, and their pride was offended. Jesus commented that a prophet is typically not recognized by his own family and townspeople. Because of their lack of faith, they forfeited a miraculous work of God.

 

2. Jesus sends out the Twelve (7-13)

Jesus pressed forward and taught in all the towns. To multiply the work, Jesus sent out the Twelve with power and authority to cast out demons. He trained them to depend only on God and not on material things or a favorable situation. He also taught them not to fear rejection, but be clear about the outcome of people’s rejections. The Twelve were powerful and effective at driving out demons and healing the sick. They also clearly preached that people should repent.

 

Prayer Lord, please help me to have faith and be equipped with your power to preach and heal.

One Word Jesus sends out apostles