61 And he went out thence and came to his own country, and his disciples follow him. 2 And when sabbath was come he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing were amazed, saying, Whence [has] this [man] these things? and what [is] the wisdom that is given to him, and such works of power are done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him. 4 But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not despised save in his own country, and among [his] kinsmen, and in his own house. 5 And he could not do any work of power there, save that laying his hands on a few infirm persons he healed [them]. 6 And he wondered because of their unbelief. And he went round the villages in a circuit, teaching.
7 And he calls the twelve to [him]; and he began to send them out two [and] two, and gave to them power over the unclean spirits; 8 and he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their belt; 9 but be shod with sandals, and put not on two body-coats. 10 And he said to them, Wheresoever ye shall enter into a house, there remain till ye shall go thence. 11 And whatsoever place shall not receive you nor hear you, departing thence, shake off the dust which is under your feet for a testimony to them. 12 And they went forth and preached that they should repent; 13 and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many infirm, and healed them.
14 And Herod the king heard [of him] (for his name had become public), and said, John the baptist is risen from among [the] dead, and on this account works of power are wrought by him. 15 And others said, It is Elias; and others said, It is a prophet, as one of the prophets. 16 But Herod when he heard [it] said, John whom I beheaded, he it is; he is risen [from among the dead]. 17 For the same Herod had sent and seized John, and had bound him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother. 19 But Herodias kept it [in her mind] against him, and wished to kill him, and could not: 20 for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, and kept him safe; and having heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 And a holiday being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to his grandees, and to the chiliarchs, and the chief [men] of Galilee; 22 and the daughter of the same Herodias having come in, and danced, pleased Herod and those that were with [him] at table; and the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee. 23 And he swore to her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask me I will give thee, to half of my kingdom. 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, What should I ask? And she said, The head of John the baptist. 25 And immediately going in with haste to the king, she asked saying, I desire that thou give me directly upon a dish the head of John the baptist. 26 And the king, [while] made very sorry, on account of the oaths and those lying at table with [him] would not break his word with her. 27 And immediately the king, having sent one of the guard, ordered his head to be brought. And he went out and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head upon a dish, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And his disciples having heard [it], came and took up his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 6:1-29
Commentary on Mark 6:1-6
(Read Mark 6:1-6)
Our Lord's countrymen tried to prejudice the minds of people against him. Is not this the carpenter? Our Lord Jesus probably had worked in that business with his father. He thus put honour upon mechanics, and encouraged all persons who eat by the labour of their hands. It becomes the followers of Christ to content themselves with the satisfaction of doing good, although they are denied the praise of it. How much did these Nazarenes lose by obstinate prejudices against Jesus! May Divine grace deliver us from that unbelief, which renders Christ a savour of death, rather than of life to the soul. Let us, like our Master, go and teach cottages and peasants the way of salvation.
Commentary on Mark 6:7-13
(Read Mark 6:7-13)
Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great weakness, and expected no wordly advantage, yet, in obedience to their Master, and in dependence upon his strength, they went out. They did not amuse people with curious matters, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. The servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God, and to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Commentary on Mark 6:14-29
(Read Mark 6:14-29)
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.