Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament Bengel's Gnomon
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on Mark 6". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jab/mark-6.html. 1897.
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on Mark 6". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (47)New Testament (17)Gospels Only (6)Individual Books (14)
Verse 1
Mark 6:1 . [45] á¼ÎºÎ¿Î»Î¿Ï θοῦÏιν , follow ) Although they were not all admitted to see the raising of Jairus’ daughter.
[45] á¼ÎºÎµá¿Î¸ÎµÎ½ ) from thence: this term has a wider sense in this passage of Mark than in Matthew 13:53 , and has respect to the whole sojourn of the Saviour at Capernaum and the adjacent district. Jairus dwelt in Capernaum; and, not long after the resurrection of his daughter, the parables recorded in Matthew 13:0 , etc., were put forth near Capernaum. Harm. , p. 325.
Verse 2
Mark 6:2 . ÎενομÎÎ½Î¿Ï , having come ) When the arrival of Jesus had taken place not very long before. ÏÏθεν δοθεá¿Ïα , whence given ) But indeed He is Wisdom itself. καὶ Î´Ï Î½Î¬Î¼ÎµÎ¹Ï ) Understand Ïι , what [are also these mighty works]? how [has He been enabled to do them]?
Verse 3
Mark 6:3 . á½ ÏÎκÏÏν ) Son of the carpenter, or even Himself a carpenter ; for they add, the Son of Mary, in antithesis to the Son of the carpenter . [ He Himself therefore toiled at that kind of labour, which was corresponding to His spiritual work ; Zechariah 6:12 . V. g.]
Verse 4
Mark 6:4 . ΠαÏÏίδι , country ) in which there are many ties of relationship . ÏÏ Î³Î³ÎµÎ½ÎÏι , relatives ) having many houses [each one having his own house or family].
Verse 5
Mark 6:5 . Îá½Îº ἠδÏναÏο , He could not ) That is, mighty works could not be done, because the men were incapacitated [for the benefit through unbelief]. á½Î»Î¯Î³Î¿Î¹Ï , a few ) implying the quantity. á¼á¿¤á¿¥ÏÏÏÎ¿Î¹Ï , infirm ) implying the quality.
Verse 6
Mark 6:6 . ÎÏκλῳ , in a circle round ) Yet Jesus conferred a benefit on His own country.
Verse 7
Mark 6:7 . ἬÏξαÏο , began ) After that they had made some progress. δÏο δÏο , by two and two ) six pairs; Matthew 10:2-3 . καὶ , and ) The rest of His instructions are evident from Mark 6:12-13 .
Verse 8
Mark 6:8 . Ἵνα , that ) That they might be unencumbered, unrestrained, and free [comp. note on Mat 10:10 ].
Verses 8-9
Mark 6:8-9 . ΠαÏήγγειλεν ) Mark uses this verb with a threefold construction in this passage; ÏαÏήγγειλεν ἵνα μηδὲν αἴÏÏÏιν á¼Î»Î»Ê¼ á½ÏοδεδεμÎÎ½Î¿Ï Ï (viz. εἶναι ·) καὶ μὴ á¼Î½Î´ÏÏηÏθε . So also the construction is varied in ch. Mark 12:38 , θελÏνÏÏν ÏεÏιÏαÏεá¿Î½ καὶ á¼ÏÏαÏμοÏÏ ; where the infinitive and the accusative are joined.
Verse 13
Mark 6:13 . [46] á¼Î¾Îβαλλον , they began casting out ) The demons, without doubt, bore their expulsion by the disciples with more vexation than that by the Lord Himself. ἤλειÏον á¼Î»Î±Î¯á¿³ , anointed with oil ) This anointing differed widely from that anointing which is called extreme unction . They did not carry oil about with themselves, as Mar 6:8 proves; but found and used it at the houses of the sick. The miracle was on that account the more unequivocal.
[46] Mark 6:10 . á¼ÎºÎµá¿Î¸ÎµÎ½ , from thence ) out of the city.
Verse 14
Mark 6:14 . ΦανεÏὸν , manifested [spread abroad]) Jesus had not come to be known by many before that John’s death became known, otherwise they would not have supposed Him to be John. This observation is to be marked in opposition to those who extend the length of the times after the baptism of John too much. Î³á½°Ï , for ) Except for the public rumour, Herod would not have known of Him. A palace is generally late in hearing of spiritual news. á¼Î»ÎµÎ³ÎµÎ½ , he said ) The plural is given in Luke 9:7 , and the circumstances of the case even in Mark require that number; for there are enumerated the opinions of men concerning Him, one of which in particular above the rest is indicated in fine in Mark 6:16 , as having seemed probable to Herod. Therefore the parenthesis, if it be desirable to mark one before ÏανεÏὸν , ought to close, not at αá½Ïοῦ , but at ÏÏοÏηÏῶν , Mark 6:15 , so that the á¼¤ÎºÎ¿Ï Ïεν of Mar 6:14 should be evidently resumed in the á¼ÎºÎ¿ÏÏÎ±Ï of Mark 6:16 . Nor should Mark thus be said to ascribe to Herod twice, although to others not even once, the opinion which Herod received from others, especially inasmuch as Herod was more in doubt than the others. Therefore either á¼Î»ÎµÎ³Î¿Î½ , [47] they were saying , ought to be read; or else á¼Î»ÎµÎ³ÎµÎ½ , he said , does not refer to Herod; but the participle [one] saying is to be supplied in an indefinite sense to that verb, as ÏηÏὶν , said one , is often used, viz. ὠεἰÏὼν , one saying [the sayer] being understood. See on Chrysost. de Sacerd., p. 477; Glass. Can. 23, de Verbo; and Hiller, Syntagm., p. 325.
[47] Tisch. reads á¼Î»ÎµÎ³ÎµÎ½ with ACGL Î Vulg. c . Lachm. á¼Î»ÎµÎ³Î¿Î½ with B and D ( á¼Î»ÎγοÏαν ) ab . ED. and TRANSL.
The Germ. Vers. does not follow the observation of the Gnomon in this place, but the margin of both editions, preferring the reading á¼Î»ÎµÎ³ÎµÎ½ . E. B.
Verse 15
Mark 6:15 . á¼Î»Î»Î¿Î¹ , others ) The variety of human opinions on Divine subjects is astonishing. It is of some benefit to the disciples to know it, ch. Mark 8:28 ; but it rather agitates than benefits Herod. However great be that variety, yet often the truth lies outside of it.
Verse 16
Mark 6:16 . á¼ÎºÎ¿ÏÏÎ±Ï Î´á½² , but having heard ) This is repeated from Mark 6:14 .
Verse 19
Mark 6:19 . á¼Î½Îµá¿Ïεν ) had an inward grudge towards him.
Verse 20
Mark 6:20 . á¼Ïοβεá¿Ïο , feared ) Holiness makes a man an object of reverential awe. John did not fear Herod. Îµá¼°Î´á½¼Ï , knowing ) This affords an argument for the truth of religion: the fear of the bad, and their reverence towards piety. [ He did not, however, recognise him as a prophet. The estimate formed by men of the world does not reach to the main turning point of the truth. Judas himself, when now overwhelmed by the mists of despair, did not call Jesus the Christ, but the innocent blood. V. g.] ÏÏ Î½ÎµÏήÏει , was guarding him [but Eng. Vers. observed him]) against Herodias. Ïολλὰ á¼¤ÎºÎ¿Ï Îµ , many things heard ) And yet Herod was not a pious man.
Verse 21
Mark 6:21 . ÎενεÏÎ¯Î¿Î¹Ï ) ÎενÎÏια , This is the genus: γενÎθλια , the species. The latter denotes properly a birth-day feast [or celebration]; the former, any anniversary feast-day whatever; for instance, the anniversary of entering on a kingdom. μεγιÏÏá¾¶Ïιν , the great men ) of the palace and of the court. ÏιλιάÏÏÎ¿Î¹Ï , chief captains ) of his soldiery. Ïοá¿Ï ÏÏÏÏÎ¿Î¹Ï , the nobles) in provincial posts.
Verse 22
Mark 6:22 . ὠβαÏÎ¹Î»Îµá½ºÏ Ïá¿· κοÏαÏίῳ , the king unto the damsel ) An antithesis.
Verse 25
Mark 6:25 . ÎεÏá½° ÏÏÎ¿Ï Î´á¿Ï ) promptly. θÎÎ»Ï [I will] I wish ) Boldness of speech.
Verse 27
Mark 6:27 . ΣÏÎµÎºÎ¿Ï Î»Î¬ÏÏÏα , an executioner ) This word is derived from “specula,” a look-out, a watch-tower . The Speculators executed capital punishments: Sen. l. 1, de ira, c. 16.
Verse 29
Mark 6:29 . Î ÏÏμα ) So × ××× of the prophet [Urijah], Jeremiah 26:23 , Lat. cadaver. The body of the Saviour is not so termed. á¼Î½ μνημείῳ , in a tomb) perhaps that of his father, in which it was natural for him to be laid, as his own. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Life, was laid in the sepulchre of another.
Verse 30
Mark 6:30 . Î£Ï Î½Î¬Î³Î¿Î½Ïαι , gather themselves ) together. οἱ á¼ÏÏÏÏολοι , the apostles ) an appropriate appellation in this place. ÏάνÏα , all things ) The distribution of the all things follows, viz. both what and what ( á½Ïα καὶ á½ Ïα ). A most noble narration.
Verse 31
Mark 6:31 . á½Î¼Îµá¿Ï αá½Ïοὶ , ye yourselves ) also. Often the Saviour betook Himself alone to solitude: now He says, Do ye also seek solitude [a desert place]. á½Î»Î¯Î³Î¿Î½ , a little while ) Solitude and intercourse with others should be blended together by the godly. ἦÏαν , they were ) They did not always come and go together.
Verse 33
Mark 6:33 . Î Ïοá¿Î»Î¸Î¿Î½ , outwent [got before]) by various ways. ÏÏ Î½á¿Î»Î¸Î¿Î½ , came together ) in one place.
Verse 34
Mark 6:34 . ἬÏξαÏο , He began ) afresh, as if He had not taught them previously. There is need of real compassion, to enable one to teach; and compassion is the virtue of a good teacher.
Verse 35
Mark 6:35 . Πολλá¿Ï , jar spent ) Matthew 20:1 , etc.
Verse 36
Mark 6:36 . ÎÏκλῳ , in a circle round about ) For there was not a sufficiency of food for them in merely one or two of the adjoining districts and villages.
Verse 37
Mark 6:37 . á¼Î³Î¿ÏάÏÏμεν , are we to buy ) The disciples intimate, by this question, that there is on their part no want of the will, both to give their exertion in going away, and their money, as much as they had, in buying what was needed; but what is wanting is the ability to satisfy such a multitude. Therefore, in their question, they fix on the sum two hundred denarii , [48] not so much according to the supply which was in their purse at the time, as according to the number of the multitude. See what can be elicited from the data furnished to us: 5000 men is to 200 denarii, as one man is to 1/25th of a denarius, i.e. about half of a German kreuzer (halfpenny). We have, besides the argument of changing the old money [mintage] into new, that expression of John 6:7 , “that every one of them may take a little ” especially at that time of year, about the Passover, John 6:4 , when the price of provisions is usually higher; we have also the rational computation of the disciples, whereby in contrast on the opposite side is illustrated the omnipotence of our Lord. The sum of 200 zuzÅi, or denarii, was among the Hebrews very frequent in the case of a dowry or fine: but this does not oppose the analogy of the 200 denarii and 5000 men.
[48] Pence: though the denarius, originally so called from being = 10 asses, is really somewhat more than 71/2 pence; or, according to its earlier value, 81/2 pence. ED. and TRANSL.
Verse 40
Mark 6:40 . á¼Î½ÎÏεÏον , they sat down ) A proof of faith on the part of the people.
Verse 41
Mark 6:41 . Î á¾¶Ïι , all ) All partook even of the accompaniment, the fish: even of it also remnants were left, Mark 6:43 ; [ which, as a fish consists of very different parts, is therefore less intelligible to mere reason, than the multiplication of the bread . V. g.]
Verse 45
Mark 6:45 . Î Ïá½¸Ï ÎηθÏαÏδὰν , to Bethsaida ) This was the terminus, not of their whole voyage, but in part, until Jesus was about to come to them.
Verse 48
Mark 6:48 . Îἶδεν , He saw ) And yet He did not come to them, before that it was the full [proper] time. ἤθελε , was wishing [would have]) Comp. Luke 24:28 .
Verse 52
Mark 6:52 . Îá½°Ï , for ) They ought to have inferred from the miracle of the loaves as to [His power also over] the sea. The more exercised that faith is, the more it becomes accustomed to the spectacle of [to seeing and discerning] the marvellous works of God. [Comp. Matthew 14:33 .] ἦν Î³á½°Ï , for was ) Not only is that particular time denoted, but the habitual state of their heart during their then pupillage [early training].
Verse 53
Mark 6:53 . Î ÏοÏÏÏμίÏθηÏαν , they drew to the shore ) promptly.
Verse 55
Mark 6:55 . á¼Ïá½¶ Ïοá¿Ï ) The dative: in beds , as they had been lying.
Verse 56
Mark 6:56 . [ á¼Î½ Ïαá¿Ï á¼Î³Î¿Ïαá¿Ï , in the streets [or the fora ]) where they would have the greater certainty of meeting Him, and where the greatest number might obtain relief at once. V. g.] Îá¼Î½ ) This particle is compounded here, not of καὶ and á¼á½°Î½ , as it is usually, but of καὶ and á¼Î½ , as in 2 Corinthians 11:16 . Comp. note on Chrys. de Sacerd., p. 459. á¼ ÏÏνÏαι , they might touch ) after the example of the woman with the issue of blood: ch. Mark 5:27 . αá½Ïοῦ ) Ïοῦ κÏαÏÏÎÎ´Î¿Ï .