Mark 6:13
They also drove out many demons and healed many of the sick, anointing them with oil.
They drove out many demons
The phrase "They drove out many demons" highlights the authority and power given to the disciples by Jesus. The Greek word for "drove out" is "ekballō," which means to expel or cast out with force. This action signifies the spiritual authority over evil that Jesus imparted to His followers. In the historical context of the New Testament, demon possession was a recognized affliction, and the ability to cast out demons was a sign of divine authority. This act of driving out demons demonstrated the in-breaking of God's kingdom, where the forces of darkness were being overthrown by the light of Christ.

and anointed many of the sick with oil
The use of oil in "anointed many of the sick with oil" has deep roots in both Jewish and early Christian practices. The Greek word for "anointed" is "aleiphō," which means to rub or smear with oil. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a common practice for consecrating priests and kings, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing. In the New Testament context, oil was used for medicinal purposes and as a symbol of healing and the Holy Spirit's work. The act of anointing the sick with oil by the disciples was a tangible expression of God's healing power and mercy, aligning with the compassionate ministry of Jesus.

and healed them
The phrase "and healed them" underscores the miraculous power of God working through the disciples. The Greek word for "healed" is "therapeuō," which means to serve, cure, or restore to health. This healing was not merely physical but also spiritual, as it pointed to the ultimate restoration found in Christ. In the historical context, healing was a sign of the Messiah's arrival, fulfilling prophecies such as those found in Isaiah. The disciples' ability to heal the sick was a testament to the authority and mission given to them by Jesus, showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel and the compassion of God for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Disciples
The twelve apostles sent out by Jesus to preach, heal, and cast out demons. They are the primary actors in this verse, carrying out the mission given to them by Christ.

2. Demons
Spiritual beings opposed to God, often causing physical and spiritual harm to individuals. The disciples were given authority by Jesus to cast them out.

3. The Sick
Individuals suffering from various physical ailments. The disciples ministered to them through healing.

4. Anointing with Oil
A practice used by the disciples as a symbol of healing and consecration. It reflects a tradition rooted in Jewish customs and signifies the presence and power of God.

5. The Region of Galilee
The broader context of this passage is Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where He sent out the disciples to extend His work.
Teaching Points
Authority in Christ
The disciples' ability to cast out demons and heal the sick was not of their own power but through the authority given by Jesus. Believers today are called to operate under Christ's authority in their spiritual endeavors.

The Role of Faith and Obedience
The disciples' actions were a direct result of their obedience to Jesus' command. Our faith is demonstrated through obedience to God's Word and His calling in our lives.

Symbolism of Anointing Oil
Anointing with oil is a physical act that symbolizes spiritual truths, such as healing, consecration, and the Holy Spirit's presence. It reminds us of the importance of both physical and spiritual care.

Compassionate Ministry
The disciples' ministry to the sick and demon-possessed reflects Jesus' compassion. As followers of Christ, we are called to show compassion and care for those who are suffering.

Spiritual Warfare
The casting out of demons highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. Christians are called to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God to stand against spiritual forces.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the authority given to the disciples in Mark 6:13 apply to believers today in terms of spiritual warfare and ministry?

2. In what ways can the practice of anointing with oil be incorporated into modern Christian life and ministry, and what does it symbolize?

3. How does the compassion shown by the disciples in healing the sick challenge us to engage with those who are suffering in our communities?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate obedience to Christ's commands in our daily lives, as the disciples did?

5. How do the events in Mark 6:13 connect with the broader account of Jesus' ministry and the mission of the early church as seen in the book of Acts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 5:14-15
This passage speaks about the elders of the church anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, showing a continued practice of healing and prayer in the early church.

Matthew 10:1
Jesus gives His disciples authority over unclean spirits and to heal every disease and sickness, paralleling the mission described in Mark 6:13.

Acts 19:11-12
Paul performs extraordinary miracles, including healing the sick and casting out demons, demonstrating the continuation of this apostolic authority in the early church.
MissionariesE. Johnson Mark 6:7-13
The Apostolic CommissionR. Green Mark 6:7-13
The Mission of the TwelveA.F. Muir Mark 6:7-13
The Mission of the TwelveJ.J. Given Mark 6:7-13
Apostolic Labours and Their ReceptionJ. H. Godwin.Mark 6:7-18
CompanionshipDe W. S. Clark.Mark 6:7-18
Incumbrances to be AbandonedDe W. S. Clark.Mark 6:7-18
MissionariesE. Johnson, M. A.Mark 6:7-18
Mutual HelpMark 6:7-18
No MoneyJ. Morison, D. D.Mark 6:7-18
Preparations for PreachingA. Rowland, LL. B.Mark 6:7-18
The Apostolic CommissionR. Green.Mark 6:7-18
The First Mission of the TwelveH. M. Luckock, D. D.Mark 6:7-18
The Mission of the TwelveMatthew Henry, D. C. Hughes, M. A.Mark 6:7-18
People
Elias, Elijah, Herod, Herodias, James, Jesus, John, Joseph, Joses, Judas, Jude, Mary, Philip, Simon
Places
Bethsaida, Galilee, Genneseret, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee
Topics
Anointed, Anointing, Cast, Casting, Cured, Demons, Devils, Evil, Expelled, Healed, Healing, Ill, Infirm, Invalids, Oil, Sick, Spirits
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 6:13

     1416   miracles, nature of
     2012   Christ, authority
     4135   demons, Christ's authority over
     4160   driving out
     4488   oil
     5405   medicine
     7304   anointing

Mark 6:1-56

     5357   journey

Mark 6:7-13

     4512   staff
     7631   Twelve, calling of

Library
January 6 Evening
The apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things they had done.--MARK 6:30. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.--The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.--Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. When ye shall have done
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 4. "Come Ye Yourselves Apart" (Mark vi. 31).
"Come ye yourselves apart" (Mark vi. 31). One of the greatest hindrances to spirituality is the lack of waiting upon God. You cannot go through twenty-four hours with two or three breaths of air, in the morning, as you sip your coffee. But you must live in the atmosphere, and you must breathe it all day long. Christians do not wait upon God enough. It needs hours and hours daily of spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit to keep your vitality healthful and full. Every moment should find you breathing
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 8. "It is I, be not Afraid" (Mark vi. 50).
"It is I, be not afraid" (Mark vi. 50). Someone tells of a little child with some big story of sorrow upon its little heart, flying to its mother's arms for comfort, and intending to tell her the story of its trouble; but as that mother presses it to her bosom and pours out her love, it soon becomes so occupied with her and the sweetness of her affection that it forgets to tell its story, and in a little while even the memory of the trouble is forgotten. It has just been loved away, and she has taken
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Herod --A Startled Conscience
'But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.'--Mark vi. 16. The character of this Herod, surnamed Antipas, is a sufficiently common and a sufficiently despicable one. He was the very type of an Eastern despot, exactly like some of those half-independent Rajahs, whose dominions march with ours in India; capricious, crafty, as the epithet which Christ applied to him, 'That fox!' shows; cruel, as the story of the murder of John the Baptist proves; sensuous
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
'And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. 2. And when the Sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? 3. Is not this the carpenter, the Son of Mary, the Brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon! and are not His sisters here with us? And they
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Martyrdom of John
'For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21. And when
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The World's Bread
'And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31. And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33. And the people saw them departing, and many knew Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ Thwarted
'And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief.'--Mark vi. 5,6. It is possible to live too near a man to see him. Familiarity with the small details blinds most people to the essential greatness of any life. So these fellow-villagers of Jesus in Nazareth knew Him too well to know Him rightly as they talked Him over; they recognised His wisdom and His mighty works; but all the impression that these
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On Attending the Church Service
"The sin of the young men was very great." 1 Sam. 2:17. 1. The corruption, not only of the heathen world, but likewise of them that were called Christians, has been matter of sorrow and lamentation to pious men, almost from the time of the apostles. And hence, as early as the second century, within a hundred years of St. John's removal from the earth, men who were afraid of being partakers of other men's sins, thought it their duty to separate from them. Hence, in every age many have retired from
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
V. 1, 2. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to those that are called to be holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. This Epistle is ascribed to the holy Apostle, St. Jude, brother of the two Apostles, James the Less and Simon, by the sister of the mother of Christ, who is called Mary (wife) of James or Cleopas, as we read in Mark vi. But this Epistle cannot be looked upon as being that of one who was truly an Apostle,
Martin Luther—The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a Pure Religion --First Disciples.
Joseph died before his son had taken any public part. Mary remained, in a manner, the head of the family, and this explains why her son, when it was wished to distinguish him from others of the same name, was most frequently called the "son of Mary."[1] It seems that having, by the death of her husband, been left friendless at Nazareth, she withdrew to Cana,[2] from which she may have come originally. Cana[3] was a little town at from two to two and a half hours' journey from Nazareth, at the foot
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem,
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus and John the Baptist Appear More Clearly than in their Attitude Towards Common Social
I The Friend of Men 223. In nothing does the contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist appear more clearly than in their attitude towards common social life. John had his training and did his work apart from the homes of men. The wilderness was his chosen and fit scene of labor. From this solitude he sent forth his summons and warning to his people. They who sought him for fuller teaching went after him and found him where he was. They then returned to their homes and their work, leaving the prophet
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Twelve Baskets Full of Fragments Gathered from the Miracle of Christ Feeding the Multitude.
1.--MAN NEEDS HELP. "They have nothing to eat." (Mark vi. 36.) 2.--GOD IS BETTER THAN GOOD MEN. "Send them away," said the disciples. (Mark vi. 36.) "They need not depart," the Lord replied. (Matt. xiv. 16.) 3.--MINISTERS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR THE CHILDREN, THEY GIVE HELP AS WELL AS TROUBLE. Andrew said, "There is a lad here." (John vi. 9.) 4.--YOUTH CAN GIVE TO JESUS WHAT NO ONE ELSE POSSESSES. "There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves." (John vi. 9.) 5.--UNBELIEF
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
CHAPTER XXIX. THE HISTORICAL BOOKS. 1. The New Testament, like the Old, is not an abstract system of doctrines and duties, but a record of facts involving doctrines and duties of the highest import. This record does not constitute an independent history, complete in itself, and to be explained in its own light. It is rather the necessary sequel to the record of the Old Testament. It interprets the Old Testament, and is itself interpreted by it. The two constitute together an organic whole, and can
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Right to Privacy
"There were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."--Mark 6:31 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them."--Matthew 9:36 I had just come back from a strenuous month in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Sprightly, the young married couple who were in charge of the mission station, and I were relaxing around the tea table. I told about the work I had been doing, and answered interested questions. Finally the talk drifted into lighter channels, and
Mabel Williamson—Have We No Rights?

Set at Liberty.
(MARK VI. 27.) "Hush my soul, and vain regrets be stilled; Now rest in Him who is the complement Of whatsoe'er transcends our mortal doom, Of baffled hope and unfulfilled intent; In the clear vision and aspect of whom All longings and all hopes shall be fulfilled." ARCHBISHOP TRENCH. The Genesis of a Great Crime--The Strength of Evil Influences--An Accomplice of Satan--The Triumph of Hate--The Baptist Beheaded--A Place of Repentance The evangelist Mark tells us, in the twenty-first verse of this
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

The King's Courts
(MARK VI.) "The number of thine own complete, Sum up and make an end; Sift clean the chaff, and house the wheat; And then, O Lord, descend. "Descend, and solve by that descent This mystery of life; Where good and ill, together blent, Wage an undying strife." J. H. N. Under Royal Surveillance--"It is not Lawful."--The Revenge of Herodias--The Upbraidings of Conscience--Devotion to Truth--"A Sin unto Death." Our story brings us next to speak of the Baptist's relations with Herod Antipas, son of the
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Rejected in his Own Country
"And He went out from thence; and He cometh into His own country; and His disciples follow Him." MARK 6:1-6 (R.V.) WE have seen how St. Mark, to bring out more vividly the connection between four mighty signs, their ideal completeness as a whole, and that mastery over nature and the spiritual world which they reveal, grouped them resolutely together, excluding even significant incidents which would break in upon their sequence. Bearing this in mind, how profoundly instructive it is that our Evangelist
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Links
Mark 6:13 NIV
Mark 6:13 NLT
Mark 6:13 ESV
Mark 6:13 NASB
Mark 6:13 KJV

Mark 6:13 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Mark 6:12
Top of Page
Top of Page