CMBC Wednesday Evening Bible Study – 11/5/25—Mark Chapter 6

[Blondel I. Rall]

Calvary M. B. Church-St. Louis

Rev. Dr. Wilbert H. Goatley, Jr., Pastor

Bible Study by Phone

Week 7 of Study:  Mark, Chapter 6 

​Wednesday – November 5, 2025​

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

314-325-9019 (No access code)

 

OBJECTIVES

 

1. Note Jesus' ministry and authority

2. Note the challenges of rejection

 

SUMMARY

 

Mark chapter 6 recounts Jesus' return to his hometown where he is rejected by his own people. He then sends out his twelve disciples on a mission to preach and heal. The chapter also includes the beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod, the miraculous feeding of five thousand people, and Jesus walking on water, showcasing divine power and the contrast between belief and unbelief. 

 

Rejection in Nazareth

• Jesus teaches in the synagogue in his hometown, and people are astonished by his wisdom but also take offense because they know his family.

• His familiarity as a carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Jose, Judas, and Simon, prevents them from accepting him as the Messiah.

• Their unbelief limits the miracles he can perform there. 

Mission of the twelve disciples

• Jesus sends his twelve apostles out in pairs, giving them authority over impure spirits.

• He instructs them to travel light, rely on the hospitality of others, and preach repentance, heal the sick, and cast out demons. 

Beheading of John the Baptist

• The chapter recounts how Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist for telling Herod it was unlawful for him to marry his brother's wife. 

• Herod, who feared John, eventually has him arrested and beheaded after being pressured by Herodias at a banquet. 

Miracles of the five thousand and walking on water 

• After returning from their mission, the disciples gather with Jesus, who sees a large crowd and has compassion for them. 

• Jesus miraculously feeds the 5,000 men, plus women and children, with only five loaves of bread and two fish. 

• Later, as his disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walks on water to them in a storm to calm their fear and the wind, demonstrating his power over nature. 

 

NOTE: All scripture references are utilizing the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise stated. [Version Information Commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 130 respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create a completely new, modern translation of Scripture, yet one that would retain the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James. With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translation applies the most recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies.

Should the session end before we can read, discuss and review the lesson in its entirety, please feel free to continue in your own independent study of this chapter and submit the answers to the questions at the end of the outline to Rev. Blondel I. Rall through the same or a compatible method that you received this outline.

 

OUTLINE

 

I. REJECTION IN NAZARETH  (MARK 6:1–6)

a. Jesus teaches in his hometown synagogue but is rejected by its people, who are scandalized by his wisdom and authority.

b. They struggle to believe because they know his family and his trade.

c. Jesus is only able to heal a few sick people in his hometown because of their unbelief. 

 

II. THE TWELVE APOSTLES ARE SENT OUT (Mark 6:7–13)

a. Jesus sends the twelve apostles out in pairs, giving them authority over impure spirits.

b. He instructs them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, but to wear sandals and not to carry two tunics.

c. They are to stay in one house in each town and, if a town refuses to listen to them, they are to shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against them.

d. The apostles go out, preach that people should repent, and heal many sick people. 

 

III. THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Mark 6:14–29)

a. King Herod hears about Jesus and mistakenly believes he is John the Baptist resurrected.

b. John the Baptist had previously been imprisoned by Herod for denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

c. At a feast, Herodias' daughter dances for Herod, who promises her anything she asks for.

d. Prompted by her mother, she asks for John the Baptist's head on a platter, and Herod has him beheaded. 

 

IV. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND (Mark 6:30–44)

a. After the apostles return, Jesus takes them to a desolate place to rest, but a large crowd follows them.

b. Jesus has compassion on the crowd and teaches them.

c. He asks Philip how they can feed the people, but the disciples are unable to do so.

d. A boy offers five loaves and two fish, which Jesus blesses and multiplies to feed more than five thousand people.

e. The disciples collect twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 

 

V. JESUS WALKS ON WATER  (MARK 6:45–52)

a. After the miracle of feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples in a boat across the sea while he goes up a mountain to pray.

b. Later, in the middle of the night, Jesus walks on the water towards the disciples, who are terrified, thinking he is a ghost.

c. He gets in the boat with them, and the wind stops, leaving them utterly astonished.

d. The disciples' hearts are hardened, and they still do not understand the miracle of the loaves. 

 

VI. HEALING IN GENNESARET  (MARK 6:53–56)

a. After the disciples reach the shore, Jesus comes to the region of Gennesaret.

b. As soon as people recognize him, they bring the sick from all over the region to him.

c. They beg him to let them simply touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touch it are healed. 

TOP TEN LESSONS OF MARK CHAPTER 6

1. The Power of Faith in Action - In Mark 6, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, giving them authority over unclean spirits. This passage reminds us that faith is not passive but active. When we trust in God's power, we are equipped to make a difference in the world. As Jesus instructed His disciples, "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts" (Mark 6:8). This teaches us to rely on God's provision and to step out in faith, knowing He will supply our needs.

2. The Importance of Rest - After their mission, Jesus invites the disciples to "Come with Me privately to a solitary place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). This highlights the importance of rest and reflection in our busy lives. Even in ministry, taking time to recharge is crucial. It allows us to be more effective in our service and to hear God's voice more clearly.

3. Compassion as a Driving Force - When Jesus sees the large crowd, He is moved with compassion because "they were like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34). Compassion should be the driving force behind our actions. It compels us to reach out to those in need, offering guidance and support, just as Jesus did.

4. God Multiplies Our Efforts - The feeding of the five thousand is a powerful reminder that God can multiply our efforts. With just five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds a multitude, demonstrating that when we offer what little we have, God can do immeasurably more. "They all ate and were satisfied" (Mark 6:42), showing that God's provision is abundant.

5. Trusting God in the Storms - When the disciples are caught in a storm, Jesus walks on water to reach them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid" (Mark 6:50). This teaches us to trust God in the storms of life. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, Jesus is with us, offering peace and assurance.

6. Recognizing Jesus' Authority - The people of Gennesaret recognize Jesus' authority and bring the sick to Him, believing in His power to heal. This passage encourages us to recognize and submit to Jesus' authority in our lives. When we do, we open ourselves to His transformative power and healing.

7. The Danger of Unbelief - In His hometown, Jesus is amazed at the people's lack of faith, which limits the miracles He can perform there. "He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them" (Mark 6:5). This warns us of the danger of unbelief and the importance of maintaining a heart open to God's work.

8. The Call to Repentance - The disciples preach that people should repent, echoing Jesus' message. Repentance is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, calling us to turn away from sin and towards God. It is a daily practice that keeps us aligned with His will.

9. The Cost of Discipleship - John the Baptist's imprisonment and execution remind us of the cost of discipleship. Following Christ may lead to persecution, but it is a path of eternal significance. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it is costly.

10. The Joy of Serving Others - Throughout Mark 6, we see Jesus serving others tirelessly. His example teaches us the joy of serving others, reflecting God's love in practical ways. As we serve, we find fulfillment and purpose, knowing we are part of God's greater plan.

 

REVIEW QUESTIONS - MARK  6

1. Why was Jesus rejected at Nazareth? (2-3)

2. What did the Twelve apostles do on their Limited Commission? (12-13)

3. Why did Herod arrest John the Baptist? Who prompted Herod to kill him? (14-29)

4. When Jesus fed a large multitude, how many were there and with what? (38,44)

5. When Jesus walked on the sea, what were His disciples' reactions? (49-51)

6. How successful were those who begged to touch the hem of Jesus' garment (56)

 

Comments/Insights/Observations:

Additional sources used for this outline that were not referred above are as follows:  https://enterthebible.org/courses/mark/lessons/outline-of-mark; https://www.google.com/search?q=objectives+in+studying+the+gospel+of+mark; https://executableoutlines.com/guides/mark/mk_sg_00.html

 

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