Mark

In the Synagogue of Nazareth

Leaving that place, Jesus went back to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.

When the Sabbath arrived, he began teaching in the synagogue, and most who listened were amazed. But they asked:

“Where did this man get all these? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!

Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”

So they took offense at him.

And Jesus said to them:

“Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives and in their own family.”

And he could not work many miracles there; instead, he only healed a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 

He was amazed at their unbelief. Jesus then traveled through the villages, teaching.

Mission of the Twelve

He called the Twelve to him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.

And he ordered them not to take anything for the journey except a staff—no food, no bag, and no money in their belts. 

They were to wear sandals and not to take an extra tunic.

He added:

“In any house where you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place.

If any place doesn’t receive you and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them.”

So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. 

They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them.

Death of John the Baptist

King Herod also heard about Jesus because his name had become well-known. Some people said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’

Others thought, ‘He is Elijah,’ and still others said, ‘He is a prophet like the prophets of the past.’ 

When Herod was told about this, he said:

“I had John beheaded; yet, he has been raised up!”

Herod was the one who had John arrested, had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her; 

and John had told him, ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.’ 

So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not, 

because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday when he hosted a dinner for all the top government officials, military leaders, and the leaders of Galilee. 

On that occasion, Herodias’s daughter entered and danced, charming Herod and his guests. The king told the girl:

“Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”

And he even said with many oaths:

“I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.”

She then went out and asked her mother:

“What should I request?”

The mother replied:

“The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king and made her request, saying:

“I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist here and now, on a platter.”

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. 

 So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; 

then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. 

When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.

Feeding the Five Thousand

The apostles returned and reported to Jesus everything they had done and taught.

Then he said to them:

“Let us go off by ourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

For so many people were coming and going that the apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

And they went away in the boat to a secluded spot by themselves. 

But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were headed. So, from all the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving before them. 

As Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He then began to teach them many things. 

It was now getting late, so his disciples came to him and said:

“This is a lonely place, and it is now late.

You should send the people away and let them go to the farms and villages around here, to buy themselves something to eat.” 

Jesus replied:

“You, yourselves, give them something to eat.”

They answered:

“If we are to feed them, we need two hundred silver coins to go and buy enough bread.”

But Jesus said:

“You have some loaves; how many? Go and see.”

The disciples found out and said:

“There are five loaves and two fish.”

Then he told them to have the people sit down, together in groups, on the green grass. 

This they did, in groups of hundreds and fifties. 

And Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and, raising his eyes to heaven, he pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them. 

 They all ate, and everyone had enough. 

The disciples collected what was left and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces of bread and fish.

Five thousand men had eaten there.

Walks on Water

Immediately, Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away.

And after sending the people off, he went alone to the hillside to pray. 

When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake while he was alone on the land. 

Jesus saw his disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them, and before daybreak, he came to them walking on the lake, intending to pass by them. 

When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost and shouted out; 

for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately, he called to them:

“Courage! It is I; don’t be afraid!”

Then Jesus got into the boat with them, and the wind subsided. They were completely astonished, 

 for they had not fully understood the significance of the loaves; their minds were dull.

Healings in Gennesaret

After crossing the lake, they arrived at Gennesaret and tied up the boat.

As soon as they landed, people recognized Jesus 

and ran to spread the news throughout the countryside. Wherever he was, they brought the sick lying on their mats to him; 

and wherever he went—whether to villages, towns, or farms—they laid the sick in the marketplace and begged him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. And everyone who touched him was healed.