5000 Hungry Men (Refection on Mark 6)

This is the literal truth!

Before we jump into the published commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6, I'd like to share a general observation. Have you noticed how much clearer the picture becomes when you start to compare the Gospel's? I was thinking about this as I sat editing the video reading. I remembered back in my younger days when I would follow particular music bands. I'd clamour to the shops and buy up a selection of fantastic magazines to essentially read the same story. Each article would cover the latest adventure but maybe they'd feature a different band member or someone on the inside who had something unique to reveal. That's a bit like reading about the life of Jesus from the perspective of the different Gospel authors.

I noted here in Mark, that we're given more of a glimpse of the dialogue between Jesus and the disciples when they are faced with a crowd of 5000 hungry men. I've heard people try and pass off this story as something not to be taken literally. Suggesting that the real number would be far less. I noted that Jesus directs the disciples to seat the people in groups of either 100 or 50.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

This is notable because it provides us with clarity that the people gathered were hundreds and hundreds and that literally translates to thousands. I remember reading a note by MacArthur on this who makes the point that the text is accounting for the number of 'men' only and that the implication is that if women and children were counted alongside the men, the crowd could have been much larger.

Let's jump into the commentaries on this chapter.

Enduring Word Commentary

At the beginning of this commentary there is a snippet relaying a kind of ancient joke. The fact that Jesus was a carpenter, wasn't considered a selling point. It's highlighting that it wasn't thought acceptable for people to flock to a common labourer for answers to life's biggest questions.

i. Throughout the centuries, some people have thought that Jesus’ employment as a carpenter somehow discredited His message. In ancient Rome, there was a terrible persecution under the Emperor Julian. At that time, a philosopher mocked a Christian, asking him “What do you think the carpenter’s son is doing now?” The Christian wisely answered, “He is building a coffin for Julian.”

Later in the commentary, they clarity that the term 'carpenter' was used more broadly than it is today. It wasn't limited to an artisan who worked only with wood but also could include builders generally. For example, Jesus could have worked with stone. I didn't know that!

Here's the link for a wealth of further information:

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-6/

Blue Letter Commentary

A striking element from this chapter is the story of Jesus' own people denying Him. I've heard it said that Jesus couldn't do miracles in Nazareth in a way that implies he did not have the power. I think this is a strange way of reading the situation and was happy to find clarity in this commentary. It wasn't that Jesus was powerless to perform miracles in His hometown, he did in fact perform a few. It was rather that he was denied the opportunity to perform miracles. They didn't believe He could and therefore lacked the necessary faith to ask him.

4. He marvelled because of their unbelief, v. 6. We never find Christ wondering but at the faith of the Gentiles that were strangers, as the centurion (Mt. 8:10), and the woman of Samaria, and at the unbelief of Jews that were his own countrymen. Note, The unbelief of those that enjoy the means of grace, is a most amazing thing.

Take a look at the commentary for a fuller explanation and loads of other useful context and clarity.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mar/Mar_006.cfm

Bible Hub Commentary

I've mentioned how much I value this particular commentary site before. I really like considering the origin Greek and Hebrew text because it can illuminate the meaning. The snippet I've selected provides us with clarity on how the disciples were commanding to equip themselves as they set out to minister on behalf of Jesus. They are asked to go with nothing of value, placing their faith in God to provide for them. I wondered when reading the passage, what exactly a 'scrip' may be. I found the answer here alongside other useful information.

Those who had a staff might use it; those who had not one were not to trouble themselves to procure one. The scrip (πήρα) was the wallet for food. They were to take no money in their purse (μὴ εἰς τὴν ζώνην χαλκόν); literally, brass in their girdle. St. Mark, writing for Romans, uses this word for money. St. Luke, writing for Greeks, uses the term (ἀργύριον) "silver." St. Matthew (Matthew 10:9) says, "provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass."

This commentary provides a lot of extra historical information that I found fascinating, such as other ancient writers outside of the Bible mentioning John the Baptist.

Verse 17. - In prison. Josephus ('Antiq.,' 18:5, 2) informs us that this prison was the fort of Machaerus, on the confines of Galilee and Arabia, and that there John was beheaded. Herod's father had built a magnificent palace within that fort; and so he may have been keeping the anniversary of his birthday there

If you find extra context helps you to form a better picture in your head, I fully recommend reading this commentary.

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/mark/6.htm

I'll leave it there for today but please feel free to post a comment and ask questions if there is anything you would like more information on. I don't always know the answer off the top of my head but generally enjoy and have the time to go hunting through respected commentary for answers.