Mark 6:7

THE MESSAGE

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. "And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. King Herod heard of all this, for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead—that's why he's able to work miracles!" Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets." But Herod wouldn't budge: "It's John, sure enough. I cut off his head, and now he's back, alive." Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn't dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt—and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial. The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper." Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?" But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory." That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish." Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that's all. And whoever touched him became well.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

King James Version (1611)
And he calleth vnto him the twelue, and began to send them foorth, by two and two, and gaue them power ouer vncleane spirits,

King James Version
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

English Standard Version
And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

New American Standard Bible
And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

New Century Version
He called his twelve followers together and got ready to send them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

Amplified Bible
And He called the twelve [disciples] and began to send them out [as His special messengers] two by two, and gave them authority and power over the unclean spirits.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

Legacy Standard Bible
And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and was giving them authority over the unclean spirits;

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.

Contemporary English Version
Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits.

Complete Jewish Bible
Yeshua summoned the Twelve and started sending them out in pairs, giving them authority over the unclean spirits.

Darby Translation
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;

Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus called his twelve apostles together. He sent them out in groups of two and gave them power over evil spirits.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And he called vnto him the twelue, and began to send them forth two and two, and gaue them power ouer vncleane spirits,

George Lamsa Translation
Then he called his twelve, and began to send them two by two; and he gave them power over the unclean spirits, to cast them out.

Good News Translation
He called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over the evil spirits

Lexham English Bible
And he summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Literal Translation
And He called the Twelve near and began to send them out two by two. And He gave them authority over the unclean spirits,

American Standard Version
And he calleth unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

Bible in Basic English
And he gave orders to the twelve, and sent them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

Hebrew Names Version
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

International Standard Version
He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 9:1;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And he called his twelve, and began to send them two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out.

Murdock Translation
And he called his twelve, and began to send them forth, two and two; and he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he called the twelue, and beganne to sende them foorth, two and two, and gaue the power ouer vncleane spirites.

English Revised Version
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

World English Bible
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he calleth to him the twelve, and sent them forth by two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Weymouth's New Testament
Then summoning the Twelve to Him, He proceeded to send them out by twos, and gave them authority over the foul spirits.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he clepide togidere twelue, and bigan to sende hem bi two togidere; and yaf to hem power of vnclene spiritis,

Update Bible Version
And he calls to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

Webster's Bible Translation
And he calleth [to him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

New English Translation
Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

New King James Version
Matthew 10:1,5-15; Luke 9:1-6">[xr] And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

New Living Translation
And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.

New Life Bible
Jesus called the twelve followers to Him and began to send them out two by two. He gave them power over demons.

New Revised Standard
He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he calleth near the twelve, and began to be sending them forth two and two, - and was giving them authority over the impure spirits:

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Revised Standard Version
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And he called ye twelve and beganne to sende them two and two and gave them power over vnclene spretes.

Young's Literal Translation
and he doth call near the twelve, and he began to send them forth two by two, and he was giving them power over the unclean spirits,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And called the twolue, and begane to sende them two and two, and gaue them power ouer the vncleane spretes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Now having called the twelve, he sent them out by two and two, giving them power to exorcize spirits:

Simplified Cowboy Version
One day, Jesus called his cowboys together and sent them out to gather people for his Father's brand two by two.

Contextual Overview

⁷Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. "And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. King Herod heard of all this, for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead—that's why he's able to work miracles!" Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets." But Herod wouldn't budge: "It's John, sure enough. I cut off his head, and now he's back, alive." Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn't dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt—and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial. The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper." Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?" But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory." That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish." Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that's all. And whoever touched him became well. ⁹Just a Carpenter He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?" But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further. Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child." Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all. He couldn't get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching. Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. ¹⁰ "And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. ¹¹ "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." ¹²Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the twelve: Mark 3:13, Mark 3:14, Matthew 10:1-4, Luke 6:13-16, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:3-12

two and: Exodus 4:14, Exodus 4:15, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Ecclesiastes 4:10, Revelation 11:3

power: Mark 16:17, Luke 10:17-20

Reciprocal: Matthew 22:3 - sent Mark 6:13 - cast Mark 6:30 - the apostles Mark 11:1 - he Luke 7:19 - two John 17:22 - the glory

Cross-References

Genesis 6:1
When the human race began to increase, with more and more daughters being born, the sons of God noticed that the daughters of men were beautiful. They looked them over and picked out wives for themselves.

Genesis 6:3
Then God said, "I'm not going to breathe life into men and women endlessly. Eventually they're going to die; from now on they can expect a life span of 120 years."

Genesis 6:4
This was back in the days (and also later) when there were giants in the land. The giants came from the union of the sons of God and the daughters of men. These were the mighty men of ancient lore, the famous ones.

Genesis 6:22
Noah did everything God commanded him to do.

Psalms 37:20
God-despisers have had it; God 's enemies are finished— Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time, vanished like smoke in thin air.

Proverbs 10:27
The Fear-of- God expands your life; a wicked life is a puny life.

Proverbs 16:4
God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment.

Zephaniah 1:3
"Men and women and animals, including birds and fish— Anything and everything that causes sin—will go, but especially people.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he called unto him the twelve,.... "His twelve disciples", as some copies read; whom he had before called by his grace, and had appointed and ordained them his apostles, but had not yet publicly sent forth; in order to which, he now called them to him, and gave them their commission, qualifications, and instructions:

and began to send them forth by two and two: he first sent forth one couple, and then another; the reason of his sending them by pairs, was partly for the sake of company, and that they might be useful and assisting to one another; and partly to show their agreement in doctrine; and that they might be proper and sufficient witnesses of it, whereby it might be established; and the rather, being thus sent by pairs into different parts, their message would be the sooner dispatched, than if they had all went together:

and gave them power over unclean spirits; that is, to cast them out; as it is expressed in Mt. 10:1, :-; and which is here added in the Syriac and Persic versions. Many things are omitted by this evangelist, which are mentioned by Matthew: he does not give us the names of the twelve apostles; the reason of that indeed may be, because they are related by him in Mark 3:16, and he did not choose to repeat them here: nor does he take any notice of the places where the apostles were to go, and where not; nor of the persons to whom, or not; as not into the way of the Gentiles, nor into any of the cities of the Samaritans, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: nor does he say any thing of the subject matter of their ministry or what they had in charge to publish; as that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, or the Gospel dispensation: nor does he observe the several things they were to do in confirmation of their doctrine and mission; as healing the sick, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, and casting out devils: he only relates the directions given them with respect to their journey, in the following verses; the reason of all which seems to be, because he refers not to the same time as Matthew does, to their appointment and ordination; but to the time they were sent out, and proceeded on their journey.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And he called unto him the twelve - See the notes at Matthew 10:1.

And began to send them forth by two and two - In order that they might “support” and “encourage” each other in their work. Amid the trials and opposition with which they would meet, mutual counsel and aid would greatly lighten their burdens and alleviate their calamities. Mutual counsel might also contribute to their success, and lead to “united” plans to advance the kingdom of the Redeemer. Jesus here, as in all the work of religion, consulted at the same time the “happiness” and the “usefulness” of his disciples; nor are they ever separated. Whatever contributes to the “usefulness” of his people produces also their happiness; or, in other words, the secret of being happy is to be “useful.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Mark 6:7. By two and two — That they might encourage and support each other; and to show that union among the ministers of the Gospel is essential to the promotion of the cause of truth. Luke 10:1; Luke 10:1.