He marvelled because of their unbelief

Nazareth was ‘his own country’ just as Capernaum became ‘his own city’, Matt. 9. 1. In incarnation the omnipresent Son of God became linked with specific geographical locations. The people of Nazareth could not fathom that one of their own could possibly be the Messiah even although ‘wisdom’ and ‘works’ were noted, Mark 6. 2, ‘mighty works’ that were ‘wrought by his hands’. Those hands now touched the needy, but the Nazarenes had watched them handle saws and chisels and planes, and could see only ‘the carpenter’, v. 3. Further, He belonged to a local family without status. Their unbelief stifled blessing, vv. 5, 6. Learn two lessons: first, we should never be prejudiced on account of a man’s location, trade, or family; second, unbelief will inevitably staunch the flow of divine blessing. ‘They could not enter in because of unbelief’, Heb. 3. 19.

In verses 7 to 13, the Lord Jesus commissioned His twelve apostles, and while their function was unique, there are general principles here relating to service. The fact that they went two by two emphasizes the value of fellowship in service, Eccles. 4. 9-12. The instructions to travel light indicate the need for dependence on God to supply the resources for the work, and there is encouragement to be content with what is provided, Mark 6. 10. The Lord indicated that we should never expect universal acceptance of the message, and hence the need at times to ‘shake off the dust’, v. 11. The final lesson is that of implicit obedience: having been sent, the disciples simply ‘went out, and preached’, v. 12.

News of the proliferation of miracles was a jolt to Herod’s conscience. Could it be that John had been raised from the dead? At the instigation of the ruthless Herodias, Herod had been responsible for his martyrdom. ‘He had married her’, but from God’s standpoint, she was still ‘his brother Philip’s wife’, v. 17, and John had been firm in his condemnation of that adulterous relationship. Herod’s respect for John’s integrity, v. 20, could not save him in the face of such uncontrollable hatred. Be like John: earn the respect of the ungodly without compromising your convictions, and regardless of the cost.