Day 195: Rejection in Nazareth


*Mark 6:1-13

Jesus returns to his hometown Nazareth and is rejected by his own people, but then sends out the twelve disciples to spread his message.

  • Jesus in His Hometown:
    • Jesus travels to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples.
    • On the Sabbath, He begins teaching in the synagogue.
    • Many who hear Him are astonished by His wisdom and miracles.
  • Reaction of the Townspeople:
    • The townspeople question the source of His wisdom and miraculous powers.
    • They identify Him as the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon.
    • They also mention His sisters who live among them.
    • They take offense at Him, doubting His authority and legitimacy.
  • Jesus’ Response:
    • Jesus remarks that a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own home.
    • Due to their lack of faith, He is unable to perform many miracles there, except healing a few sick people.
    • He is amazed at their unbelief.
  • Sending Out the Twelve Disciples:
    • Jesus calls the Twelve disciples together and begins to send them out two by two.
    • He gives them authority over impure spirits.
  • Instructions for the Mission:
    • Jesus instructs them to take nothing for the journey except a staff:
      • No bread, no bag, no money in their belts.
      • They are to wear sandals but not take an extra shirt.
    • They are to stay in the house they enter until they leave that town.
    • If any place does not welcome them or listen to them, they are to leave, shaking the dust off their feet as a testimony against them.
  • The Mission of the Disciples:
    • The disciples go out and preach that people should repent.
    • They drive out many demons and anoint many sick people with oil, healing them.

6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.