The Meaning of Mark 6:5 Explained

Mark 6:5

KJV: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

YLT: and he was not able there any mighty work to do, except on a few infirm people having put hands he did heal them;

Darby: And he could not do any work of power there, save that laying his hands on a few infirm persons he healed them.

ASV: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he could  there  do  no  mighty work,  save  that he laid  his hands  upon a few  sick folk,  and healed  [them]. 

What does Mark 6:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 6:1-20 - The Widening Fields
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

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 6:5

Sick [ἀῤῥώστοις]
From ἀ , not, and ῥώννυμι , to strengthen. Sickness regarded as constitutional weakness. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 6:5

Mark 8:11 Began []
The beginnings of things seem to have a peculiar interest for Mark. See Mark 1:1, Mark 1:45; Mark 4:1; Mark 5:17, Mark 5:20; Mark 6:2, Mark 6:7, Mark 6:34, Mark 6:55. [source]
Mark 6:53 Drew to the shore [προσωρμίσθησαν]
Peculiar to Mark. Rev., moored to the shore, though the meaning may be near the shore. Ἀνέβη , he went up (Mark 6:51), seems to indicate a vessel of considerable size, standing quite high out of the water. They may have anchored off shore. [source]
Mark 16:18 The sick [ἀρρώστους]
See on Mark 6:5. [source]
Mark 5:30 Who touched my garments? [Τις μου ηπσατο των ιματιων]
More exactly,Who touched me on my clothes; The Greek verb uses two genitives, of the person and the thing. It was a dramatic moment for Jesus and for the timid woman. Later it was a common practice for the crowds to touch the hem of Christ‘s garments and be healed (Mark 6:56). But here Jesus chose to single out this case for examination. There was no magic in the garments of Jesus. Perhaps there was superstition in the woman‘s mind, but Jesus honoured her darkened faith as in the case of Peter‘s shadow and Paul‘s handkerchief. [source]
Mark 11:19 Every evening [οταν οπσε εγενετο]
Literally, whenever evening came on or more exactly whenever it became late. The use of οταν — hotan (οτε αν — hote an) with the aorist indicative is like οπου αν — hopou an with the imperfect indicative (εισεπορευετο — eiseporeueto) and οσοι αν — hosoi an with the aorist indicative (ηπσαντο — hēpsanto) in Mark 6:56. The use of αν — an makes the clause more indefinite and general, as here, unless it renders it more definite, a curious result, but true. Luke 21:37 has the accusative of extent of time, “the days,” “the nights.” The imperfect tense he (or they) would go (εχεπορευετο εχεπορευοντο — exeporeueto exeporeuonto) out of the city suggests “whenever” as the meaning here. [source]
Mark 5:30 Who touched me on my clothes []
; The Greek verb uses two genitives, of the person and the thing. It was a dramatic moment for Jesus and for the timid woman. Later it was a common practice for the crowds to touch the hem of Christ‘s garments and be healed (Mark 6:56). But here Jesus chose to single out this case for examination. There was no magic in the garments of Jesus. Perhaps there was superstition in the woman‘s mind, but Jesus honoured her darkened faith as in the case of Peter‘s shadow and Paul‘s handkerchief. [source]
Luke 6:19 Healed [ἰᾶτο]
Compare Matthew 14:36; Mark 6:56, where διεσώθησαν , were thoroughly saved, and ἐσώζοντο , were saved, are used. Luke is more technical, using the strictly medical term, which occurs twenty-eight times in the New Testament, seventeen of these in Luke. Luke also uses the two words employed by Matthew and Mark, but always with some addition showing the nature of the saving. Thus Luke 7:3, where διασώσῃ (A. V.,heal ) is explained by Luke 7:7, ἰαθήσεται , the technical word, shall be healed, and by Luke 7:10, “found the servant whole ( ὑγιαίνοντα , another professional word - see on Luke 5:31) that had been sick. ” Compare, also, Luke 8:35, Luke 8:36, Luke 8:44, Luke 8:47, Luke 8:48. Medical writers do not use σώζειν or διασώζειν , to save, as equivalent to ἰᾶσθαι , to heal, but in the sense of escaping from a severe illness or from some calamity. Luke employs it in this sense - Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1. [source]
John 5:8 Arise, take up thy bed, and walk [Εγειρε αρον τον κραβαττον σου και περιπατει]
Present active imperative of αρον — egeirō a sort of exclamation, like our “Get up.” The first active imperative (αιρω — āron of περιπατεω — airō) means to pick up the pallet, and then “go on walking” (present active imperative of κραβαττον — peripateō). For krabatton (pallet) see Mark 2:2-12; Mark 6:55; Acts 5:15; Acts 9:33. [source]
John 12:40 He hath blinded [τετυπλωκεν]
Perfect active indicative of τυπλοω — tuphloō old causative verb to make blind (from τυπλος — tuphlos blind), in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:11. He hardened First aorist active indicative of πωροω — pōroō a late causative verb (from πωρος — pōros hard skin), seen already in Mark 6:52, etc. This quotation is from Isaiah 6:10 and differs from the lxx. Lest they should see Negative purpose clause with ινα μη — hina mē instead of μηποτε — mēpote (never used by John) of the lxx. Matthew (Matthew 13:15) has μηποτε — mēpote and quotes Jesus as using the passage as do Mark (Mark 4:12) and Luke (Luke 8:10). Paul quotes it again (Acts 28:26) to the Jews in Rome. In each instance the words of Isaiah are interpreted as forecasting the doom of the Jews for rejecting the Messiah. Matthew (Matthew 13:15) has συνωσιν — sunōsin where John has νοησωσιν — noēsōsin (perceive), and both change from the subjunctive to the future (και ιασομαι — kai iasomai), “And I should heal them.” John has here στραπωσιν — straphōsin (second aorist passive subjunctive of στρεπω — strephō) while Matthew reads επιστρεπσωσιν — epistrepsōsin (first aorist active of επιστρεπω — epistrephō). [source]
John 6:20 Be not afraid [μη ποβειστε]
Prohibition with μη — mē and present middle imperative of ποβεομαι — phobeomai So in Mark 6:50 (Matthew 14:27). John does not tell that the disciples thought Jesus was an apparition (Mark 6:49; Matthew 14:26), nor does he give the account of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:28-31). [source]
John 6:21 They were willing therefore [ητελον ουν]
Inchoative imperfect, “they began to be willing.” This does not contradict Mark 6:51 as Bernard thinks. Both Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat. Whither they were going Progressive imperfect active, “to which land they had been going” (intransitive use of υπαγω — hupagō to lead under, to go under or away as in John 6:67; John 7:33; John 12:11; John 18:8. [source]
Acts 16:19 Into the marketplace [εις την αγοραν]
Into the Roman forum near which would be the courts of law as in our courthouse square, as in Acts 17:17. Marketing went on also (Mark 7:4), when the crowds collect (Mark 6:56), from αγειρω — ageirō to collect or gather. Unto the rulers (επι τους αρχοντας — epi tous archontas). General Greek term for “the magistrates.” [source]
Acts 16:19 Laid hold on [επιλαβομενοι]
Second aorist middle participle of επιλαμβανω — epilambanō as in Acts 9:27; Acts 17:19, but here with hostile intent. Dragged (ειλκυσαν — heilkusan). First aorist active indicative of ελκυω — helkuō late form of the old verb ελκω — helkō (also in James 2:6) to draw as a sword, and then to drag one forcibly as here and Acts 21:30. It is also used of spiritual drawing as by Jesus in John 12:32. Here it is by violence. Into the marketplace Into the Roman forum near which would be the courts of law as in our courthouse square, as in Acts 17:17. Marketing went on also (Mark 7:4), when the crowds collect (Mark 6:56), from αγειρω — ageirō to collect or gather. Unto the rulers (επι τους αρχοντας — epi tous archontas). General Greek term for “the magistrates.” [source]
Acts 5:15 Into the streets [εις τας πλατειας]
Supply οδους — hodous (ways), into the broad ways. On beds and couches (επι κλιναριων και κραβαττων — epi klinariōn kai krabattōn). Little beds (κλιναρια — klinaria diminutive of κλινη — klinē) and camp beds or pallets (See note on Mark 2:4, Mark 2:9, Mark 2:11). As Peter came by Genitive absolute with present middle participle. At the least his shadow might overshadow (καν η σκια επισκιασει — kan hē skia episkiasei). Future active indicative with ινα — hina (common with οπως — hopōs in ancient Greek) and καν — kan (crasis for και εαν — kai ean =even if), even if only the shadow. The word for shadow (σκια — skia like our “sky”) is repeated in the verb and preserved in our “overshadow.” There was, of course, no virtue or power in Peter‘s shadow. That was faith with superstition, of course, just as similar cases in the Gospels occur (Matthew 9:20; Mark 6:56; John 9:5) and the use of Paul‘s handkerchief (Acts 19:12). God honours even superstitious faith if it is real faith in him. Few people are wholly devoid of superstition. [source]
Acts 5:15 As Peter came by [ερχομενου Πετρου]
Genitive absolute with present middle participle. At the least his shadow might overshadow (καν η σκια επισκιασει — kan hē skia episkiasei). Future active indicative with ινα — hina (common with οπως — hopōs in ancient Greek) and καν — kan (crasis for και εαν — kai ean =even if), even if only the shadow. The word for shadow (σκια — skia like our “sky”) is repeated in the verb and preserved in our “overshadow.” There was, of course, no virtue or power in Peter‘s shadow. That was faith with superstition, of course, just as similar cases in the Gospels occur (Matthew 9:20; Mark 6:56; John 9:5) and the use of Paul‘s handkerchief (Acts 19:12). God honours even superstitious faith if it is real faith in him. Few people are wholly devoid of superstition. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:2 Even as ye were led [ὡς ἂν ἢγεσθε]
Rev., howsoever ye might be led. Better, Ellicott: “As from time to time ye might be led. The imperfect tense with the indefinite particle signifies habitually, whenever the occasion might arise. Compare Greek of Mark 6:56. “Now the fatal storm carried the blinded gentile, with a whole procession, to the temple of Jupiter; again it was to the altars of Mars or Venus, always to give them over to one or other of their deified passions” (Godet). [source]
1 Corinthians 12:2 Unto those dumb idols [προς τα ειδωλα τα απωνα]
“Unto the idols the dumb.” See Psalm 95:5-7 for the voicelessness Howsoever ye might be led (ως αν ηγεστε — hōs an ēgesthe). Rather, “as often as ye were led.” For this use of ως αν — hōs an for the notion of repetition, regular Koiné{[28928]}š idiom, see Robertson, Grammar, p. 974. Cf. οπου αν — hopou an in Mark 6:56. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:2 Howsoever ye might be led [ως αν ηγεστε]
Rather, “as often as ye were led.” For this use of ως αν — hōs an for the notion of repetition, regular Koiné{[28928]}š idiom, see Robertson, Grammar, p. 974. Cf. οπου αν — hopou an in Mark 6:56. [source]
2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were hardened [αλλα επωρωτη τα νοηματα αυτων]
Their thoughts (νοηματα — noēmata) literally. Πωροω — Pōroō (first aorist passive indicative here) is late verb from πωρος — pōros hard skin, to cover with thick skin (callus), to petrify. See note on Mark 6:52 and Mark 8:17. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:10 Jesus which delivered [Ἱησοῦν τὸν ῥυόμενον]
More correctly, delivereth. See on Matthew 1:21. Ῥύεσθαι todeliver, mostly in Paul. Lit. to draw to one's self. Almost invariably with the specification of some evil or danger or enemy. Σώζειν tosave is often used in a similar sense, of deliverance from disease, from sin, or from divine wrath: see Matthew 1:21; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:36; Acts 2:40; Romans 5:9: but σώζειν is a larger and more comprehensive term, including not only deliverance from sin and death, but investment with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ. [source]
1 Timothy 4:14 With the laying on of the hands [μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν]
Μετὰ implies that the prophetic intimations were in some way repeated or emphasized in connection with the ceremony of ordination. We note the association of prophecy with ordination in the setting apart of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:9, Acts 13:3); so that the case of Timothy has an analogue in that of Paul himself. Ἑπίθεσις layingon, imposition, also Acts 8:18; 2 Timothy 1:6; Hebrews 6:2, in each case with of hands. “The custom,” says Lange, “is as old as the race.” The Biblical custom rests on the conception of the hand as the organ of mediation and transference. The priest laid his hand on the head of the bullock or goat (Leviticus 1:4) to show that the guilt of the people was transferred. The hand was laid on the head of a son, to indicate the transmission of the hereditary blessing (Genesis 48:14); upon one appointed to a position of authority, as Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23); upon the sick or dead in token of miraculous power to heal or to restore to life (2 Kings 4:34). So Christ (Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40). In the primitive Christian church the laying on of hands signified the imparting of the Holy Spirit to the newly-baptized (Acts 8:17; Acts 19:6; comp. Hebrews 6:2). Hands were laid upon the seven (Acts 6:6). But the form of consecration in ordination varied. No one mode has been universal in the church, and no authoritative written formula exists. In the Alexandrian and Abyssinian churches it was by breathing: in the Eastern church generally, by lifting up the hands in benediction: in the Armenian church, by touching the dead hand of the predecessor: in the early Celtic church, by the transmission of relics or pastoral staff: in the Latin church, by touching the head. [source]
Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say [ὥστε θαρροῦντας ἡμᾶς λέγειν]
Lit. so that, being of good courage, we say. Θαρρεῖν tobe confident or bold, only here in Hebrews. Elsewhere only in Paul. The kindred form θαρσεῖν is used in N.T. only in the imperative θάρσει or θαρσεῖτε takecourage. See Matthew 9:2; Mark 6:50; John 16:33; Acts 23:11. [source]
James 5:15 Shall save [σωσει]
Future active of σωζω — sōzō to make well. As in Matthew 9:21.; Mark 6:56. No reference here to salvation of the soul. The medicine does not heal the sick, but it helps nature (God) do it. The doctor cooperates with God in nature.The sick (τον καμνοντα — ton kamnonta). Present active articular participle of καμνω — kamnō old verb, to grow weary (Hebrews 12:3), to be sick (here), only N.T. examples.The Lord shall raise him up Future active of εγειρω — egeirō Precious promise, but not for a professional “faith-healer” who scoffs at medicine and makes merchandise out of prayer.And if he have committed sins (καν αμαρτιας ηι πεποιηκως — kan hamartias ēi pepoiēkōs). Periphrastic perfect active subjunctive (unusual idiom) with και εαν — kai ean (crasis καν — kan) in condition of third class. Supposing that he has committed sins as many sick people have (Mark 2:5.; John 5:14; John 9:2.; 1 Corinthians 11:30).It shall be forgiven him Future passive of απιημι — aphiēmi (impersonal passive as in Matthew 7:2, Matthew 7:7; Romans 10:10). Not in any magical way, not because his sickness has been healed, not without change of heart and turning to God through Christ. Much is assumed here that is not expressed. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 6:5 mean?

And not He was able there to do not any work of power if not on a few sick having laid the hands He healed
καὶ οὐκ ἐδύνατο ἐκεῖ ποιῆσαι οὐδεμίαν δύναμιν εἰ μὴ ὀλίγοις ἀρρώστοις ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας ἐθεράπευσεν

ἐδύνατο  He  was  able 
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.
ποιῆσαι  to  do 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
οὐδεμίαν  not  any 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οὐδείς 
Sense: no one, nothing.
δύναμιν  work  of  power 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
ὀλίγοις  on  a  few 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.
ἀρρώστοις  sick 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀρρωστέω 
Sense: without strength, weak, sick.
ἐπιθεὶς  having  laid 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπιτίθημι  
Sense: in the active voice.
χεῖρας  hands 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: χείρ  
Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one.
ἐθεράπευσεν  He  healed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: θεραπεύω  
Sense: to serve, do service.