Mark 6:54-56

The Ministry Continues in Galilee (6:54-56) .

Although brief this summary gives the hint of an eyewitness. There is a memory of how people were healed just by touching his clothes. The purpose of the summary is to bring out His continued manifestations of power but it is noteworthy that His preaching is not mentioned (see below). In the midst of seeming success there is a hint of failure. They had not come to hear His words. There is outward show but the failure of true response. Yet it also continues the theme of the Messianic banquet. Here was the Isaianic healing for Israel (Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 11:5). The king was among them.

Analysis.

a And when they were come out of the boat immediately the people knew Him (Mark 6:54).

b And ran round about that whole region and began to carry about on their mattresses those who were sick where they heard He was (Mark 6:55).

c And wherever He entered, into villages, or towns or the countryside

b They laid their sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch if it were but the hem of his clothing (Mark 6:56 a).

a And as many as touched him were made whole (Mark 6:56 b).

Note that in ‘a' they knew Him, and in the parallel as many as touched Him were made whole (an apt picture of salvation). In ‘b' and its parallel they brought their sick to Jesus. Centrally in ‘c' it happened wherever He was.