Montgomery - Mark - 6

6:1  Jesus left that place, and accompanied by his disciples, came into his own part of the country.

6:2  When it came Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; many, as they listened, were deeply impressed. "Where did he get all this?" they asked; "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, and miracles such as these that happen at his hands?

6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of Jamesand Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?"

6:4  So they disapproved of him. Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native land and among his relatives and in his home."

6:5  And he was unable to do any miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them.

6:6  And he wondered at their lack of faith. So he went among the neighboring villages, teaching.

6:7  Then summoning the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.

6:8  He bade them take nothing but a staff for their journey; no bread, no wallet, no coins in their purse;

6:9  they were to wear sandals, but not to put on two tunics.

6:10  "Wherever you enter a house," he told them, "remain there until you leave the place;

6:11  and if any place does not receive you, or listen to you, as you go out of it shake off the dust under your feet, as a warning to them."

6:12  So they fared forth and summoned men to repentance.

6:13  They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

6:14  King Herod heard it, for the name of Jesus had become well known, People were saying, "Johnthe Baptist is risen from the dead, and on that account these powers are working in him."

6:15  "He is Elijah," said others. And still others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets."

6:16  But when Herod heard, he said, "That Johnwhom I beheaded has come back to life."

6:17  Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.

6:18  For Johnhad often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife."

6:19  So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death;

6:20  but she could not, for Herod was afraid of Johnbecause he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to Johnhe was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

6:21  Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee,

6:22  at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you."

6:23  He even swore to her that whatever she asked, he would give it to her, up to half his kingdom.

6:24  So she came out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of Johnthe Baptist," she replied.

6:25  So she at once hurried in to the king and made her request, "I want you," she said, "to give me, without delay, the head of Johnthe Baptist on a charger."

6:26  Then the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oaths and his guests he was unwilling to disappoint her.

6:27  So he sent at once a soldier of the guard with orders to bring his head.

6:28  And he went and beheaded Johnin prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young girl, and she gave it to her mother.

6:29  When John’s disciples heard of this, they came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

6:30  When the apostles had come back to Jesus, they told him all the things they had done, and all they had taught.

6:31  Then he said to them, "Come apart, yourselves, to a quiet spot, and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they could not get time even to eat.

6:32  So they sailed away privately to a solitary place.

6:33  However, many saw them going, and recognized them, and ran together by land from all the neighboring towns, and arrived there first.

6:34  So when Jesus landed he saw a vast multitude, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

6:35  Then when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him and said. "This place is desert, and the day is now far spent.

6:36  Send the people away so that they may go to the farms and villages about here, and buy themselves something to eat."

6:37  In answer he said to them, "You yourselves are to give them food." "Are we to go and buy fifty dollars worth of bread," they said, "and give them food?"

6:38  "How many loaves have you?" he answered. "Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fishes."

6:39  Then he directed them to make all sit down by companies on the green grass.

6:40  And they sat down like beds in a garden, by hundreds and by fifties.

6:41  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven he blessed, broke the loaves in pieces, and kept giving to the disciples to distribute.

6:42  The two fish also he divided to them all.

6:43  All ate and had enough; and they carried away broken fragments of bread and of fish, enough to fill twelve baskets.

6:44  Those who ate the bread were five thousand adult men.

6:45  Then he at once compelled the disciples to embark in the boat and go before him to Bethsaida on the other side, while he sent the people away.

6:46  After he had taken leave of them, he went away into the mountain to pray.

6:47  And when evening came, the boat was half-way across the sea, while he was on shore alone;

6:48  but when he saw them distressed in rowing (for the wind was against them), about the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking upon the sea,

6:49  they thought it was an apparition and shrieked aloud, for they all saw him and were terrified.

6:50  But he at once spoke with them, saying. "Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!"

6:51  Then he got into the boat beside them, and the wind ceased, and they were utterly astounded,

6:52  for they had not understood about the loaves; on the contrary their heart was hardened.

6:53  When they had crossed over they landed at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.

6:54  As soon as they got out of the boat, the people at once recognized him,

6:55  and began running over that whole country, and carrying the sick about on their beds, wherever they heard he was.

6:56  And whenever he entered into villages or cities or the fields they would lay the sick in the market-places and beseech him to let them touch even the tassel of his cloak, and all who touched him were made well.