Mark 6:6-13

The Extension of the Ministry - the Twelve Are Sent Out Empowered by Jesus to Proclaim the Kingly Rule of God (6:6a-13).

Now begins the further expansion of the ministry. Jesus sends out His Apostles in order to extend the sphere of His ministry. It is the seed of worldwide evangelisation (compare Acts 1:8). This ministry of the Apostles is emphasised in all Synoptic sources and there is no reason to doubt its genuineness. The specific instructions given to them, so suitable to their circumstances, and the ‘primitive' nature of the message, both confirm this. This period of ministry clearly lasted some time (Mark 6:10).

By this sending out the glory and power of Jesus is again remarkably revealed, for ‘He gave them authority over unclean spirits'. What a remarkable statement this is. Who could possibly be seen as having such power? The giving of authority over the unseen world. Nowhere is this ever said of others. It is telling us that He not only had unique authority over the powers of evil, but  was able to give that authority to others. Who could do this but the Lord of glory? Up to now Jesus has revealed His power and His authority. Now, in this commencement of the Apostolic ministry, He is revealed as the One Who can not only exercise divine powers but can convey that divine authority to others to exercise under His command. He is ‘the Lord' of all.

In the Old Testament Moses was told by God that He would take of the spirit that was on Moses and would give it to others (the seventy elders) but that was the act of YHWH, not of Moses (Numbers 11:16). Elisha also asked that the firstborn's portion (the double portion) of the spirit that was on Elijah might come on him, but again Elijah had to leave it in the hands of God as to whether it would happen (2 Kings 2:9). But with Jesus there was no such limitation. He is the drencher in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).

Again then we are brought face to face with the uniqueness of Jesus. No other could choose to pass on the Spirit. And no other before Him had planned such an offensive. It was a systematic coverage of Galilee with His word. It was all systems go. The time to which the prophets had pointed was now here. On those who were walking in darkness in Galilee of the nations the light was now shining (Isaiah 9:2).

Analysis of 6:7-12.

a And He called to Him the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and He gave them authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7).

b And He charged them that they should take nothing for their journey except only a staff, no bread, no pack, no money in their belt, but to go shod with sandals and not to put on two coats (Mark 6:8).

c And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, there stay until you leave the area” (Mark 6:10).

b “And whatever place will not receive you and do not listen to you, as you leave there shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony to them” (Mark 6:11).

a And they went out and preached that men should repent, and they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them (Mark 6:12).

Note that in ‘a' he sends them out (to preach) and to cast out evil spirits, and in the parallel that is what they do. In ‘b' they are to take only the clothes that they stand up in and sandals on their feet, and in the parallel they are to shake the dust off those sandals against those who refuse to receive them. Centrally in ‘c' they are to remain with the first one who welcomes them (because they are His).