Mar 6:30-34 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 6:30-44: 6:30-44 The disciples’ mission concludes (6:6-13 , 30-34 ), followed by the account of the feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44 ; see also Matt 14:13-21 ; Luke 9:10-17 ; John 6:1-15 ). The feeding of the 4,000 is sufficiently different to indicate that these were two separate occasions (see Mark 8:1-10 ). 6:30 Mark calls Jesus’ disciples apostles here to indicate their new status as those who had been sent out (see study note on 3:14-15) and to avoid possible confusion between them and John the Baptist’s disciples. • The apostles reported the success of what they had done and taught .

Summary for Mark 6:30-44: 6:30-44 ^a The disciples’ mission concludes (6:6-13 ^b, 30-34 ^c), followed by the account of the feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44 ^d; see also Matt 14:13-21 ^e; Luke 9:10-17 ^f; John 6:1-15 ^g). The feeding of the 4,000 is sufficiently different to indicate that these were two separate occasions (see Mark 8:1-10 ^h). 6:30 ⁱ Mark calls Jesus’ disciples apostles here to indicate their new status as those who had been sent out (see study note on 3:14-15) and to avoid possible confusion between them and John the Baptist’s disciples.

• The apostles reported the success of what they had done and taught.
Summary for Mark 6:31-33: 6:31-33 ^j Let’s go: Jesus and the disciples probably proceeded northward along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee toward Bethsaida (Luke 9:10 ^k), in sight of the crowds along the shore.

• so many people: The great crowds demonstrate the success of the apostolic mission and the greatness of Jesus, whom the apostles represented.
6:34 ^l they were like sheep without a shepherd: God’s people need a shepherd (Num 27:16-17 ^m; 1 Kgs 22:17 ⁿ; 2 Chr 18:16 ^o; see Jer 13:10 ^p; Ezek 34:23 ^q). Teaching people God’s word is compared to feeding sheep in Jewish literature (e.g., Ezek 34:1-24 ^r; 2 Baruch 77:13-15).