The Meaning of Mark 6:31 Explained

Mark 6:31

KJV: 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.

YLT: and he said to them, 'Come ye yourselves apart to a desert place, and rest a little,' for those coming and those going were many, and not even to eat had they opportunity,

Darby: And he said to them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a little. For those coming and those going were many, and they had not leisure even to eat.

ASV: And he saith 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Mark 6:31 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This verse does not appear in any of the other Gospels. Jesus provided rest for His busy servants by leading them out to a lonely area of wilderness (Gr. eremos) where the crowds that were greater than ever were not as likely to follow. This place was near Bethsaida Julius on the northeast side of the lake (cf. Luke 9:10; John 6:1). It is interesting that Mark did not record Jesus" evaluation of the disciples" work but His consideration for them as workers.
"For continued effectiveness, every worker must now and then stop to take a breath and relax a little." [1]

Context Summary

Mark 6:30-56 - The Sympathy And Compassion Of Jesus
When the Apostles returned they had much to tell. Some were flushed with success, others radiant with victory over demons, others, perhaps, overstrained and weary, and all needing the quiet, holy influence of repose and silence in the Lord's company. And in those quiet hours or days, as the fever passed out of them, He taught them memorable lessons of how He would feed the world by His Church, and how His people would be safe amid the storms that swept the sea, for always he would watch them from the height, and come to them at the moment when His help was most needed. Christ sits as host at the great table of the Church, and the meager resources of His servants yield the starting point for His multiplication of bread. He bids us go and consider how little we have, that we may properly estimate the greatness of His help. Notice how the upward look precedes the breaking and giving. There is enough for each, not of bread alone, but of fish; and the disciples are refreshed by another kind of ministry. So the Lord recreates us by turning exhausted energies into new channels. What threatens to overpower us brings Christ to our side. But His footsteps must be arrested, if we would have His company. Where Jesus is, storms cease and the sick are made whole. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 6

1  Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country
7  He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits
14  Various opinions of Jesus
16  John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried
30  The apostles return from preaching
34  The miracle of five loaves and two fishes
45  Jesus walks on the sea;
53  and heals all who touch him

Greek Commentary for Mark 6:31

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile [Δευτε υμεις αυτοι κατ ιδιαν εις ερημον τοπον και αναπαυεστε ολιγον]
It was plain that they were over-wrought and excited and needed refreshment This is one of the needed lessons for all preachers and teachers, occasional change and refreshment. Even Jesus felt the need of it. [source]
They had no leisure so much as to eat [ουδε παγειν ευκαιρουν]
Imperfect tense again. Crowds were coming and going. Change was a necessity. [source]
Come apart []
See on Mark 3:7. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 6:31

Mark 7:24 Went away []
See on Mark 6:31. The entering into the house and the wish to be secluded are peculiar to Mark. [source]
Mark 3:7 Withdrew []
Mark alone notes no less than eleven occasions on which Jesus retired from his work, in order to escape his enemies or to pray in solitude, for rest, or for private conference with his disciples. See Mark 1:12; Mark 3:7; Mark 6:31, Mark 6:46; Mark 7:24, Mark 7:31; Mark 9:2; Mark 10:1; Mark 14:34. [source]
Mark 3:7 Withdrew to the sea [ανεχωρησεν εις την ταλασσαν]
Evidently Jesus knew of the plot to kill him, “perceiving it” (Matthew 12:15). “He and His would be safer by the open beach” (Swete). He has the disciples with him. Vincent notes that on eleven occasions Mark mentions the withdrawals of Jesus to escape his enemies, for prayer, for rest, for private conference with his disciples (Mark 1:12; Mark 3:7; Mark 6:31, Mark 6:46; Mark 7:24, Mark 7:31; Mark 9:2; Mark 10:1; Mark 14:34). But, as often, a great multitude (πολυ πλητος — polu plēthos) from Galilee followed him. [source]
Acts 17:21 Spent their time [εὐκαίρουν]
The word means to have good opportunity; to have leisure: also, to devote one's leisure to something; to spend the time. Compare Mark 6:31; 1 Corinthians 16:12. [source]
Acts 17:21 Spent their time [ηυκαιρουν]
Imperfect active of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō A late word to have opportunity (ευ καιρος — euτι καινοτερον — kairos) from Polybius on. In the N.T. only here and Mark 6:31. They had time for,.etc. This verse is an explanatory parenthesis by Luke. [source]
Philippians 4:10 Greatly [μεγαλως]
Old adverb, only here in N.T., from μεγας — megas (great). Now at length (ηδη ποτε — ēdē pote). In N.T. only here and Romans 1:10. Ποτε — Pote is indefinite past (interval), ηδη — ēdē immediate present. Ye have revived Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer), αναταλλω — anathallō to sprout again, to shoot up, to blossom again. So in the lxx five times, though rare and literary word. Your thought for me (το υπερ εμου προνειν — to huper emou phronein). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of ανεταλετε — anethalete used transitively. “You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh.” Wherein “In which,” “upon which” (locative case). A loose reference to Paul‘s interests as involved in their thinking of him. Ye did indeed take thought (και επρονειτε — kai ephroneite). Imperfect active, “ye were also (or had been also) thinking.” Ye lacked opportunity Imperfect middle of ακαιρεομαι — akaireomai late and rare word, here only in N.T., from ακαιρος — akairos (α — a privative, καιρος — kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō (Mark 6:31). [source]
Philippians 4:10 Wherein [επ ωι]
“In which,” “upon which” (locative case). A loose reference to Paul‘s interests as involved in their thinking of him. Ye did indeed take thought (και επρονειτε — kai ephroneite). Imperfect active, “ye were also (or had been also) thinking.” Ye lacked opportunity Imperfect middle of ακαιρεομαι — akaireomai late and rare word, here only in N.T., from ακαιρος — akairos (α — a privative, καιρος — kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō (Mark 6:31). [source]
Philippians 4:10 Ye lacked opportunity [ηκαιρειστε]
Imperfect middle of ακαιρεομαι — akaireomai late and rare word, here only in N.T., from ακαιρος — akairos (α — a privative, καιρος — kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō (Mark 6:31). [source]
Philippians 4:10 Ye have revived [ανεταλετε]
Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer), αναταλλω — anathallō to sprout again, to shoot up, to blossom again. So in the lxx five times, though rare and literary word. Your thought for me (το υπερ εμου προνειν — to huper emou phronein). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of ανεταλετε — anethalete used transitively. “You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh.” Wherein “In which,” “upon which” (locative case). A loose reference to Paul‘s interests as involved in their thinking of him. Ye did indeed take thought (και επρονειτε — kai ephroneite). Imperfect active, “ye were also (or had been also) thinking.” Ye lacked opportunity Imperfect middle of ακαιρεομαι — akaireomai late and rare word, here only in N.T., from ακαιρος — akairos (α — a privative, καιρος — kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō (Mark 6:31). [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 In season [εὐκαίρως]
Only here and Mark 14:11. lxx once, Mark href="/desk/?q=mr+6:31&sr=1">Mark 6:31; 1 Corinthians 16:12: εὐκαιρία opportunity Matthew 26:16: εὔκαιρος seasonableconvenient, Mark 6:21; Hebrews 4:16. [source]
Philemon 1:7 The hearts [τα σπλαγχνα]
See note on Philemon 1:8 for this use of this word for the nobler viscera (heart, lungs, liver) and here for the emotional nature. Have been refreshed (αναπεπαυται — anapepautai). Perfect passive indicative of old compound verb αναπαυω — anapauō as in Matthew 11:28, a relief and refreshment whether temporary (Mark 6:31) or eternal (Revelation 14:13). [source]
Philemon 1:7 Have been refreshed [αναπεπαυται]
Perfect passive indicative of old compound verb αναπαυω — anapauō as in Matthew 11:28, a relief and refreshment whether temporary (Mark 6:31) or eternal (Revelation 14:13). [source]
1 Peter 4:14 Resteth [ἀναπαύεται]
Compare Isaiah 11:2; Luke 10:6; Numbers 11:25, Numbers 11:26; Mark 6:31; Matthew 26:45; Revelation 14:13. Also, Matthew 11:28, where the word is used in the active voice, to give rest or refreshment. [source]
1 Peter 1:6 Ye greatly rejoice [αγαλλιαστε]
Present middle indicative (rather than imperative) of αγαλλιαομαι — agalliaomai late verb from αγαλλομαι — agallomai to rejoice, only in lxx, N.T., and ecclesiastical literature as in Matthew 5:12.Now for a little while (ολιγον αρτι — oligon arti). Accusative case of time (ολιγον — oligon) probably as in Mark 6:31, though it can be used of space (to a small extent) as in Luke 5:3.If need be Present active neuter singular participle of δει — dei (it is necessary). Some MSS. have εστιν — estin after δεον — deon (periphrastic construction). Condition of first class.Though ye have been put to grief (λυπητεντες — lupēthentes). First aorist passive participle (concessive circumstantial use) of λυπεω — lupeō to make sorrowful (from λυπη — lupē sorrow), old and common verb. See 2 Corinthians 6:10.In manifold temptations Just the phrase in James 1:2, which see note on. “Trials” clearly right here as there. Seven N.T. writers use ποικιλος — poikilos (varied). [source]
1 Peter 1:6 Now for a little while [ολιγον αρτι]
Accusative case of time (ολιγον — oligon) probably as in Mark 6:31, though it can be used of space (to a small extent) as in Luke 5:3. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 6:31 mean?

And He said to them Come you yourselves apart own to [a] solitary place rest a little Were for those coming going many not even to eat had they opportunity
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Δεῦτε ὑμεῖς αὐτοὶ κατ’ ἰδίαν εἰς ἔρημον τόπον ἀναπαύσασθε ὀλίγον ἦσαν γὰρ οἱ ἐρχόμενοι ὑπάγοντες πολλοί οὐδὲ φαγεῖν εὐκαίρουν

λέγει  He  said 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
Δεῦτε  Come 
Parse: Verb, Imperative, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δεῦτε  
Sense: come hither, come here, come.
αὐτοὶ  yourselves 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
κατ’  apart 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἰδίαν  own 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἴδιος  
Sense: pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self.
ἔρημον  [a]  solitary 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἔρημος  
Sense: solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited.
τόπον  place 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τόπος 
Sense: place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space.
ἀναπαύσασθε  rest 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀναπαύω  
Sense: to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength.
ὀλίγον  a  little 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.
οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐρχόμενοι  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ὑπάγοντες  going 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑπάγω  
Sense: to lead under, bring under.
πολλοί  many 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
οὐδὲ  not  even 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
φαγεῖν  to  eat 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐσθίω  
Sense: to eat.
εὐκαίρουν  had  they  opportunity 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εὐκαιρέω  
Sense: to have opportunity.

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