Mark 6:1-13 (ESV)
He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. [2] And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. [4] And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." [5] And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. [6] And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.[7] And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. [8] He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— [9] but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. [10] And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. [11] And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." [12] So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. [13] And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the cliche “Familiarity breeds contempt” mean?
- Why did the people of Nazareth react negatively to Jesus’ visit? (6:2-3)
- Why did the people of Nazareth talk among themselves about Jesus’ family background? (6:3)
- What did Jesus say to the people who scoffed at Him? (6:4)
- What did Jesus do in Nazareth? (6:5)
- What prevented Jesus from doing more than a few miracles in Nazareth? (6:5-6)
- What can we do to prevent ourselves from having the same lack of faith that the people in Nazareth had?
- In what ways do you think we prevent Jesus from working miraculously in our own lives?
