Mark 6 — Greek text and reception

Greek–English Translation

He left there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him.

Greek–English Translation

When the Sabbath came, He began teaching in the synagogue. The many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? What is this wisdom given to Him? And such mighty works taking place through His hands!

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Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” They took offense at Him.

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Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.”

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He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

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He marveled at their unbelief. Then He went around the surrounding villages, teaching.

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He called the Twelve to Him and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority over the unclean spirits.

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He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff alone: no bread, no bag, no copper money in their belt,

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but to wear sandals, and, “Do not put on two tunics.”

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He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you leave that place.

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Whatever place does not receive you, and whose people do not listen to you, shake off the dust beneath your feet as you leave there, as a testimony to them.”

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They went out and proclaimed that people should repent.

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They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

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King Herod heard of it, for His name had become known. People were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that is why mighty powers are at work in Him.”

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Others said, “He is Elijah.” Still others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets.”

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But when Herod heard, he said, “John, whom I beheaded—he has been raised!”

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For Herod himself had sent men to seize John and bind him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.

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For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”

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Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.

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For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, yet he listened to him gladly.

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An opportune day came when Herod gave a dinner on his birthday for his dignitaries, commanders of thousands, and the leading men of Galilee.

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The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, pleasing Herod and those reclining with him. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

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He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

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She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She said, “The head of John the baptizer.”

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Immediately she hurried in to the king and made her request, saying, “I want you to give me at once, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.”

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The king became deeply grieved, but because of his oaths and those reclining at table, he did not want to refuse her.

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Immediately the king sent an executioner and ordered him to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in prison,

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brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; the girl gave it to her mother.

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When his disciples heard, they came and took his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

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The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him everything they had done and taught.

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He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a little.” For many were coming and going, and they did not even have an opportunity to eat.

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They went away privately in the boat to a deserted place.

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People saw them leaving, and many recognized them. They ran there together on foot from all the cities and arrived ahead of them.

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As He stepped out, He saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began teaching them many things.

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When the hour was already late, His disciples came to Him and said, “The place is deserted, and the hour is already late.

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Dismiss them, so that they can go into the surrounding fields and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

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He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

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He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

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He ordered them to have everyone recline in dining groups on the green grass.

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They reclined in rows, by hundreds and by fifties.

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He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, pronounced a blessing, and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to His disciples to set before the people, and He divided the two fish among them all.

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They all ate and were satisfied.

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They took up broken pieces, twelve baskets full, and some of the fish.

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Those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

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Immediately He compelled His disciples to board the boat and go ahead to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while He Himself dismissed the crowd.

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After saying farewell to them, He went away to the mountain to pray.

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When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.

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Seeing them straining at the rowing, for the wind was against them, He came toward them about the fourth watch of the night, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them.

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When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a phantom and cried out,

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for they all saw Him and were troubled. Immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage! It is I; do not fear.”

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He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were utterly astounded within themselves,

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for they had not understood about the loaves, but their heart was hardened.

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When they crossed over to land, they came to Gennesaret and moored there.

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As they stepped out of the boat, people immediately recognized Him

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and ran through that whole country. They began carrying the sick around on their mats to wherever they heard He was.

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Wherever He entered villages, cities, or fields, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him to let them touch even the fringe of His garment. As many as touched Him were saved.