THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Lesson 4
GREAT POWER, SAD HOMECOMING, APOSTLES SENT FORTH, AND
THE DEATH OF THE FORERUNNER
(Mark 4:35 - 6:56)
I. A SERIES OF GREAT MIRACLES

(Mark 4:35-5:43)

A. In Mark, Jesus POWER is clearly seen in several different AREAS:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

His POWER over DISEASE

(Mark 1:29; 1:32; etc.)
His POWER over EVIL SPIRITS and SATAN
(Mark 1:21; 5:1-20; etc.)
His POWER over NATURE
(Mark 4:35-41, etc.)
His POWER over MATERIAL THINGS
(Mark 6:30-44, etc.)
His POWER over DEATH
(Mark 5:21-43)

B. The CALMING of the STORM

(Mark 4:35-41)

1. In this miracle, the HUMANITY of Jesus is seen in His need for SLEEP. He
was asleep in the boat with His head on a pillow.
2. The DEITY of Jesus is seen in His POWER over NATURE. The Lord is the
CREATOR of the UNIVERSE, and everything holds together because
of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3)
3. He commanded the STORM to Be Still. This means to be silent, to be
muzzled (Read the same word in Mark 1:25; I Peter 2:15)
4. Note the reaction of the people who said, Who then is this.....? Even the
forces of NATURE were subject to Him! Mark is showing us the
IDENTITY of our Lord!
(Mark 4:41)
C. The Gerasene DEMONIAC

(Mark 5:1-20)

1. Gadara may be a larger town or district, and Gerasa a village (Read

Gadarenes in Matthew 8:28). Two men were healed, but Mark only
discusses ONE.
2. The condition of the man was very pathetic. He lived in the tombs, he was
out of his mind, very fierce, would break chains that held him, was naked,
would cut himself with stones, etc..
3. Jesus cast the demons into a herd of SWINE, who died in the Sea of Galilee
4. The man was HEALED, and sat at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right
mind
(Mark 5:19, 20). He wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus asked
him to go back to his own people and tell what the Lord had done.
5. Later, many came out to see Jesus from the AREA of Decapolis
(Mark 7:31-8:10)

D. Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, begged Jesus about his DAUGHTER (Mark 5:21-24)
1. Note the press of the multitudes again

(Mark 5:21, 24)

2. He begged Jesus to help his daughter. His daughter was 12 years old. The
word begged is parakaleo, the common word for beseech, entreat
See it used concerning unity in I Corinthians 1:10.
3. Jesus went with him

(Mark 5:24)

E. The WOMAN with a HEMORRHAGE of BLOOD

(Mark 5:25-34)

1. The doctors had not helped her. She only became worse
9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48)

(Read Matthew

2. She touched Jesus thinking she could be made whole (the word is saved)
3. Jesus said, Who touched me? for power had gone forth from Him. The
woman was afraid and told Him everything.
4. Her FAITH saved her and she was made whole (Mark 5:34). The
second word whole is the same word as sound and means healthy.
You can read this concerning sound doctrine, healthy doctrine
(I Timothy 1:10, 11; 6:3; II Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:1).
F. The RAISING of the daughter of JAIRUS

(Mark 5:35-43)

1. When Jesus said that the child was not dead, only sleeping, He meant that
her condition was only TEMPORARY!
2. SHE WAS DEAD! Lazarus was asleep, (John 11:11), but he was DEAD
(John 11:13, 14)
3. When Jesus RAISED HER, her spirit returned
4. Jesus said, Talitha cumi, damsel arise

(Luke 8:55)

(Mark 5:41)

5. Please NOTE the great amazement of the people who saw this

II. A SAD HOMECOMING

(Mark 5:42)

(Mark 6:1-6)

A. Jesus came to His own country, evidently the town of Nazareth, perhaps about
30 kilometers from Capernaum
(Mark 6:1)
B. They were astonished at His teaching and wisdom and works, for He was not a
student of the schools of the Rabbis. He was the carpenter, His mother
was Mary, and His brothers are named
(Mark 6:2, 3)
C. Please NOTE that astonishment does NOT automatically produce FAITH. They
were caused to stumble in their unbelief
(Mark 6:3)
D. A prophet has no honor in his own country and among His relatives and His own
house
(Mark 6:4). Jesus was amazed at THEIR UNBELIEF! (Mark 6:6)

E. Because of their UNBELIEF, the performance of miracles would have produced only
HOSTILITY and OPPOSITION
(See Mark 6:5)

III. APOSTLES are SENT FORTH

(Mark 6:7-13)

A. Jesus continued His TEACHING in the villages

(Mark 6:6)

B. Then, He sent out the TWELVE Two by two. Note also that, when He sent out 70
disciples, he sent them out Two by two (Luke 10:1). Mutual support is WISE!
C. Their PROVISIONS were quite limited, and they went by FAITH

(Mark 6:8-10)

1. Good people in the towns and villages would welcome them into their homes
2. If they were not received, they should shake off the dust from their feet. They
were not to remain among UNRECEPTIVE people. (Read Luke 10:10, 11:
Acts 18:6). Note also Matthew 10:5-15)
3. In the first century, preachers were assisted financially by the people among whom
they visited and taught. These people would provide a place to stay, food,
and possibly fare to go to another place. The Greek word is propempein.
It is translated set forward in some versions and means to help them on
their way. (Read I Corinthians 16:6, 11; Titus 3:12, 13; III John 6)
D. They were to preach REPENTANCE

(Note again Mark 1:14, 15)

E. They cast out DEMONS, and ANOINTED WITH OIL and HEALED many SICK
People
(Mark 6:13)
1. It is true that OIL was used as a MEDICINE (Luke 10:30-34)
2. But, OIL was also used before ENTERING the PUBLIC again as a symbol
of renewed activity. It is perhaps used in this way here. Study
Matthew 6:17.

IV. The DEATH of the FORERUNNER, John the Baptist

(Mark 6:14-29)

A. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, is the SON of Herod the Great. He thought that Jesus
was John risen from the dead (Mark 6:14, 15 ), but others thought He was Elijah
or another prophet (Read also Matthew 16:13-19).
B. John had spoken out plainly that Herod should NOT have his brothers wife (Mark
6:17, 18). There were moral problems, but it was also unlawful to marry a
brothers wife while he was still alive (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21).
C. Herodias wanted John the Baptist to be KILLED. When her daughter pleased Herod,
Herodias asked for the HEAD of John (Mark 6:21-29)
D. Herods WORD was good, BUT, his JUSTICE was very TRAGIC!
E. Matthew records that, when Johns disciples buried him, they then told Jesus
(Matthew 14:12)

V. The GREAT POWER of JESUS, the Son of God, is OBSERVED AGAIN

(Mark 6:30-56)
A. When the apostles returned from their mission, Jesus retired with them

(Mark 6:30-33). But, the people followed them.

B. Feeding of the 5,000

(Mark 6:35-44)

1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ALL record this miracle (Matthew 14:13-21;
Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14)
2. Jesus tested the disciples (Mark 6:37). Read also the concern of Moses
concerning food for the people in the wilderness (Numbers 11:13, 22)
3. Jesus blessed and the five loaves and two fish were given to the people. The
Jews would give thanks for their food (Deuteronomy 8:10; Acts 27:35)
4. Two great LESSONS in this miracle:
a. The Lord PROVIDES and CARES for people!
b. The ABUNDANCE of the Lord should NOT be wasted. The fragments
were collected
5. As a result of this miracle, the people wanted to make Jesus a PHYSICAL
KING (Read John 6:15). However, their primary concern was
physical, the loaves and fishes (John 6:22-27)
C. Jesus WALKING on the WATER
1.

(Mark 6:45-52)

The disciples went into the boat to return across the Sea of Galilee to
Bethsaida, but
Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went to PRAY

2. The WIND was not favorable at the fourth watch, between 3:00-6:00 A. M..
3. Jesus came walking on the water, and the disciples thought they saw an
apparition, an appearance. This word means to cause to appear,
or to make visible.
4. Jesus came into the boat. Matthew records that Peter wanted to walk on the
water to join Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31). See how Mark emphasizes
the GREAT POWER of Jesus!
5. NOTE; As yet, the disciples did NOT understand that Jesus is Lord of
creation!
CONCLUSION: When Jesus and the disciples came to Gennesaret, near Capernaum, it is
noted that (1) Jesus healed many, (2) the crowds were pressing Him, (3) the people wanted
to touch Him, and (4) they would be made whole (the word is saved) (Mark 6:53-56).