Gospel of MARK: Two banquets

Two “banquets”

Text: Mark 6

Outline:

A. 6:1-6, Jesus is rejected at Nazareth

  B. 6:7-13, Jesus sends out His disciples

    C. 6:14-29, Banquet of Herod

    C’. 6:30-44, Banquet of 5000

  B’. 6:45-52, Jesus comes to His disciples by water

A’. 6:53-56, Jesus is accepted at Gennesaret

Comments: Let’s begin with the structure. A and A’ talk about Jesus reaching out to people in two different places (no other stories name the places), mentioning also “villages” (v. 6b, 56). B and B’ talks about Jesus sending out and coming to His disciples. C and C’ have stories of two banquets – one is Herod’s birthday, the second one where Jesus feeds 5000.

A. Jesus is rejected. He teaches at his hometown synagogue. The listeners have three questions:

Where did this man get these things? – source of His wisdom

What is the wisdom given to him? – content of wisdom

How are such mighty works done by his hands? – miracles

Jesus is identified as the son of Mary, and brother James and Joses and Judas and Simon, who has at least two sisters (v. 3). The words “brothers” CAN mean cousins or brothers-in-arms or faith. But together with mother and sisters it SHOULD mean just a brother. The only reason Mary is presented as perpetually virgin – the gnostic discrepancies of the intermix of the Church with Greek/Roman culture, celebrating cult priestess.

B. Jesus sends out His disciples. Several aspects of this paragraph deserve our attention. First, Jesus sends them two by two. Why? What is there? It is not easy to fight a battle single handedly. Basically, we have only one story in the Old Testament of a man of God fighting lonely – Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel chapter 6). Otherwise, we usually have “a support group” around a champion. David with 400 men, Moses with Aaron and Miriam, Elijah is warned by God that the LORD kept 7000 men to support prophet’s ministry (1 Kings 19:18). To some extent, Jesus builds of the Wisdom – Ecclesiastes 4:12. On the other hand, He gives a hint of supremacy of His ministry, going through the trial, crucifixion, and death alone, since the disciples left Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:50). Only Jesus could complete the act of redemption, not support from the “holy apostles” or “his blessed mother.” Since none of us is the Messiah, we can learn a lesson to partner with our brothers and sisters.

One tunic. Two-folded symbolic action is here. Having two tunics might be a sign of “softness” or comfort of life (cp. Luke 7:25). Jesus tells His disciples not to expect a life of luxury, doing ministry. At the same time, He prepares them for His crucifixion – when He was stripped His only tunic (John 19:23).

Dust. If the testimony of the apostles would not be accepted, they should shake off the dust as a sign of the curse brought upon the land by Adam’s disobedience (Genesis 3:17). Jesus came to undo the Fall of Adam, if His word and messengers are not received, the curse stays with the people.

Mission complete. The disciples were successful in preaching repentance, healing the sick, driving away demons. Every one of them was successful, even Judas. So, there is no “quality” difference between Judas and Peter or James, or us (see the note on hardening of the hearts at B’). Judas could stay faithful. He, putting it simply, did not repent at the end, unlike St. Peter…

C. Banquet of Herod. The story began when the king Herod receives a rumor about Jesus being “reincarnation” of John the Baptizer, who was imprisoned for confronting the king, who ultimately killed St. John. Then St. Mark goes to tell the story how at the opportune moment Herod invited nobles and military commanders (important) for his birthday party. And Herodias’s daughter danced in front of the king. Danced in such a way that he was ready to fulfill any of her desires. Just guess what kind of dance it was that he was ready to give up to half of the kingdom. As a result, John the Baptizer was beheaded. What should’ve been the celebration of birth ended up with death.

C’. “Banquet” of 5000. This story also has two parts (like the previous one). Apostles returned from the mission. Jesus provided the disciples a rest. But many saw them leaving and followed them to their hiding place. As 5000 got to see Jesus the day grew late. Jesus orders them to sit by 50s and 100s – smaller military units. Jesus cares for simple “spiritual warriors,” while Herod invited generals.

Jesus takes five loaves and two fish and, saying the blessing (the words of thanksgiving), gave them to the people. They ate and were satisfied – which is a fulfillment of God’s promise – Deuteronomy 11:13-15. After the banquet they gathered 12 baskets of broken pieces. 12 baskets – 12 tribes. Also, please note that 5000 fed people relates to 5000 converted people as the second group that joined the church (Acts 4:4).

B’. This is the second time we see Jesus doing something extraordinary on waters. Last time we talked about Him calming the storm, presenting Himself to be the LORD (cp. Ps. 107:23, 28-32). This time He walks on waters. One would expect that the disciples would joyfully greet Him, or maybe even try to compete with Him: who can reach the shore faster (like IVY league rowing championship). No, they were terrified, thinking it was a ghost.

Again, He doesn’t give them a lesson or ridicules their faith. No, He calms them down: “take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid” (v. 50). Care and patience, for their heart were hardened… What a sobering thought: if the hearts of 12 apostles could harden, we need to be very careful with our walk of faith, staying focused and listening to Him: “it is I, don’t be afraid.”

A’. Jesus is accepted at Gennesaret. Another “fishing” town (along with Capernaum) was set at about 20 miles north-east from Nazareth, where Jesus was rejected. Basically 1 day trip (on foot) – and what a drastic difference. People “recognized” Him – meaning that they not only identified Him as Jesus, but they recognized His powers and authority. That’s why people brought their “sick on their beds” (v. 55).

The fringe of His garments – see Numbers 15:37-40 and Zachariah 8:23. Numbers 15:37-40 tell about the tassels at the ends of the garment. Then Zechariah 8:23 has a promise that people will hold of these ends of the garments and go where the God is. We touched on this the last time, talking about a woman who was suffering from bleeding for 12 years (see Mark 5:28). Apparently, it became known to “a wider audience” – now people are approaching Him and get healed even without an immediate intervention. His divine presence heals or cleanses the land (but not in His hometown, how sad that they missed their opportunity).