In the opening paragraph of this chapter, we learn of hatred and rejection of those who had enjoyed the rich privileges of being the neighbors and associates of our Lord from His earliest days. They could not discern the divine in the human, the heavenly under the earthly veil. The Savior, therefore, driven from their towns, goes about among the villages, depriving Himself of the companionship of His disciples, in order to spread the good news as far as possible. The Lord is still in His Church through the Holy Spirit, but His power is limited and neutralized by our unbelief. It is useless to ask Him to put forth His great power and save us, so long as we have made it practically impossible for Him to do as we ask. The oldtime cry was: "Why shouldst thou be as a mighty man that cannot save?" The answer is supplied here: He could do no mighty work,"¦ and he marveled at their unbelief. Faith is our capacity for God, and there are several conditions for its nurture and growth.
With what simplicity the Twelve were started on their mission, Mark 6:7. But with what authority they spoke! Simplicity and power are closely allied. The truly strong soul is not in need of the external surroundings and circumstances on which others lean; and in proportion to our willingness to deprive ourselves of the sources of human confidence may we lay hold on and possess divine power. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 6
1Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country 7He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits 14Various opinions of Jesus 16John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried 30The apostles return from preaching 34The miracle of five loaves and two fishes 45Jesus walks on the sea; 53and heals all who touch him
Greek Commentary for Mark 6:19
And Herodias set herself against him [η δε ηρωιδιας ενειχεν αυτωι] Dative of disadvantage. Literally, had it in for him. This is modern slang, but is in exact accord with this piece of vernacular Koiné. No object of ειχεν eichen is expressed, though οργην orgēn or χολον cholon may be implied. The tense is imperfect and aptly described the feelings of Herodias towards this upstart prophet of the wilderness who had dared to denounce her private relations with Herod Antipas. Gould suggests that she “kept her eye on him” or kept up her hostility towards him. She never let up, but bided her time which, she felt sure, would come. See the same idiom in Genesis 49:23. She desired to kill him Imperfect again. [source]
And she could not [και ουκ ηδυνατο] Και Kai here has an adversative sense, but she could not. That is, not yet. “The power was wanting, not the will” (Swete). [source]
Had a quarrel against him [ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ] There is some dispute about the rendering. The Rev. renders Set herself against him, with no alternative translation in the margin; and in Luke 11:53, Press upon him vehemently, with set themselves against him in the margin. I see no objection to rendering was angry at him, taking ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ with an ellipsis of χόλον , anger. Very literally, had within herself ( ἐν )anger against him. So Herodotus, 1:118. Astyages concealing the anger ( τόν χόλον )which he felt toward him ( οἱ ἐνεῖχε ) ἐνεῖχε σφῖ δεινὸν χόλον , nourished a fierce anger against them. So Moulton, Grimm, and De Wette. [source]
Desired [ἤθελεν] Imperfect tense, was desiring all along. Her demand for John's murder was the result of a long-cherished wish. [source]
Luke 11:53To press upon him [ενεχειν] An old Greek verb to hold in, to be enraged at, to have it in for one. It is the same verb used of the relentless hatred of Herodias for John the Baptist (Mark 6:19).To provoke him to speak (αποστοματιζειν apostomatizein). From απο apo and στομα stoma (mouth). Plato uses it of repeating to a pupil for him to recite from memory, then to recite by heart (Plutarch). Here (alone in the N.T.) the verb means to ply with questions, to entice to answers, to catechize.Of many things “Concerning more (comparative) things.” They were stung to the quick by these woes which laid bare their hollow hypocrisy. [source]
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δύναμαι
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
Greek Commentary for Mark 6:19
Dative of disadvantage. Literally, had it in for him. This is modern slang, but is in exact accord with this piece of vernacular Koiné. No object of ειχεν eichen is expressed, though οργην orgēn or χολον cholon may be implied. The tense is imperfect and aptly described the feelings of Herodias towards this upstart prophet of the wilderness who had dared to denounce her private relations with Herod Antipas. Gould suggests that she “kept her eye on him” or kept up her hostility towards him. She never let up, but bided her time which, she felt sure, would come. See the same idiom in Genesis 49:23. She desired to kill him Imperfect again. [source]
Και Kai here has an adversative sense, but she could not. That is, not yet. “The power was wanting, not the will” (Swete). [source]
There is some dispute about the rendering. The Rev. renders Set herself against him, with no alternative translation in the margin; and in Luke 11:53, Press upon him vehemently, with set themselves against him in the margin. I see no objection to rendering was angry at him, taking ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ with an ellipsis of χόλον , anger. Very literally, had within herself ( ἐν )anger against him. So Herodotus, 1:118. Astyages concealing the anger ( τόν χόλον )which he felt toward him ( οἱ ἐνεῖχε ) ἐνεῖχε σφῖ δεινὸν χόλον , nourished a fierce anger against them. So Moulton, Grimm, and De Wette. [source]
Imperfect tense, was desiring all along. Her demand for John's murder was the result of a long-cherished wish. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 6:19
See on Mark 6:19. [source]
An old Greek verb to hold in, to be enraged at, to have it in for one. It is the same verb used of the relentless hatred of Herodias for John the Baptist (Mark 6:19).To provoke him to speak (αποστοματιζειν apostomatizein). From απο apo and στομα stoma (mouth). Plato uses it of repeating to a pupil for him to recite from memory, then to recite by heart (Plutarch). Here (alone in the N.T.) the verb means to ply with questions, to entice to answers, to catechize.Of many things “Concerning more (comparative) things.” They were stung to the quick by these woes which laid bare their hollow hypocrisy. [source]
Or, held ensnared. By Paul only here and 2 Thessalonians 1:4. Lit. to be held within. For an elliptical usage see on Mark 6:19. [source]