Mark 6:18-42

18 It was contrary to the plainest precepts of the law to marry the wife of a brother (Lev_18:16; Lev_20:21). This Herod was usually surnamed Antipas, being the son of Herod the great and a Samaritan woman named Malthace. First he married a daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia,

but he repudiated her, which brought on a war with Aretas. His marriage to Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Philip, and granddaughter of Herod the Great, brought on him the denunciation of the baptist. This woman caused his ruin, for she induced him to go to Rome to obtain the title of king, for he was only called king by courtesy, being the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Instead of receiving added honors he lost his office and was banished by the emperor Caligula to Gaul, where he probably died.

21 Compare Mat_14:6-9. See Gen_40:20.

23 See Est_5:3-6; Est_7:2.

21 This is a royal scene. The tetrarch and the government of Galilee are present. It is doubtless inserted here to provide a contrast to the rightful King Who had been gathering His aides about Himself, and Who was proclaiming the kingdom of God. Herod demeans himself to such an extent as to have his own daughter dance before them. Such entertainment was usually provided by low class girls, for a self-respecting woman was not supposed to be seen in a company of men. The dancing consisted largely in a series of postures and attitudes which were often indecent. And, because this pleased the coarse taste of his guests, he promised the half of his kingdom! That kingdom could not have been worth much! Nor was the king worth any more. Instead of ruling his realm in righteousness, he himself was ruled by his passions and his pride. On account of his bombastic boast, he is afraid to do what is right. What a coward! What a contrast to that uncrowned King Who walks about his realm, unspotted, unafraid! He provides no entertainment but the truth. He attracts by His holiness. Instead of sacrificing a righteous man on the altar of His folly, He becomes the great Sacrifice for sinners.

23 This was only a vain-glorious boast. He could not dispose of the least part of his kingdom,

for he was a vassal of Rome.

27-29 Compare Mat_14:10-12.

30 Compare Luk_9:10.

30 As Mark is especially concerned with service, it is in keeping with its character to give some details that particularly pertain to the servants' work. They acknowledged their Lord, as all good servants should, by giving Him a full account of their actions. He, as a reward for their labors, suggests retirement and rest. He and they would leave the multitude, and seek seclusion and refreshment in the wilderness. It is most significant to follow this thought, and see that, when they came to the private place, there were about five thousand men there, and, instead of finding leisure to eat, they feed this vast throng, and, rather than rest themselves, the people repose on the grass and the disciples wait on them. The Lord found rest and refreshment in serving others. Typically, this takes us to the time when the labors of the apostles will be over, and when they, as good shepherds, not only rule over the tribes of Israel, but lead them to verdant oases and to waters of rest. So great is His compassion that He will not refuse to serve until they are satisfied. In that day there will be scant dependence on human provision and foresight. The blessing of God will displace the arduous efforts of men. The very orderliness of the scene suggests the presence of a government which functions perfectly. The numbers used recall to mind the thousand years of His millennial reign, for there was one cake for each thousand men. But, more than all, we must note that the miracle is no strain on His beneficence. His resources are not exhausted by the effort. The fragments which remain fill twelve panniers, incredibly more than the five cakes with which He began. So the millennial blessings are by no means the limit of God's power. They are but the prelude to greater glories in the succeeding eon, which will culminate in the consummation at its end, which will be the final demonstration of God's power and man's impotence. During the eons man toils to provide his own necessities but sinks into defeat and death. And it is in death alone that God can act unembarrassed by the aid of His creatures, and unhindered in the activities of His heart.

31-39 Compare Mat_14:13-21; Luk_9:10-17; Joh_6:1-13.