Mark 6:12 kjv
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Mark 6:12 nkjv
So they went out and preached that people should repent.
Mark 6:12 niv
They went out and preached that people should repent.
Mark 6:12 esv
So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.
Mark 6:12 nlt
So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.
Mark 6 12 Cross References
The Call to Repentance: Old Testament Foundations
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 55:7 | "Let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord..." | A prophetic call to turn from sin and return to God. |
| Jer 25:5 | "...Turn now, each from your evil way and from your evil deeds..." | Urges turning from evil deeds and ways. |
| Ezek 18:30 | "Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin." | Commands a complete turn from sin to avoid destruction. |
| Joel 2:12 | "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart..." | Call for heartfelt repentance, not just outward acts. |
| Jonah 3:10 | "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster..." | Nineveh's example of national repentance and divine mercy. |
| Zech 1:3 | "Return to me," declares the Lord of hosts, "and I will return to you..." | God's promise to respond to genuine repentance. |
The Call to Repentance: John the Baptist and Jesus
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 3:2 | "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." | John the Baptist's central message. |
| Mk 1:4 | "John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." | John's mission rooted in repentance. |
| Lk 3:8 | "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance..." | Demands evidence of changed life. |
| Mk 1:15 | "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." | Jesus' inaugural public proclamation. |
| Mt 4:17 | "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom..." | Jesus' consistent call from the beginning of His ministry. |
| Lk 5:32 | "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." | Jesus' explicit purpose for His earthly ministry. |
The Call to Repentance: Apostolic Proclamation
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 2:38 | "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ..." | Peter's call to repentance on Pentecost. |
| Acts 3:19 | "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out..." | Connects repentance with forgiveness of sins and spiritual refreshment. |
| Acts 17:30 | "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent..." | Paul's authoritative command for universal repentance. |
| Acts 20:21 | "testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." | Paul's summary of his comprehensive ministry. |
| Acts 26:20 | "...that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of repentance." | Repentance coupled with active change in behavior. |
The Nature and Necessity of Repentance
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 2:4 | "...God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance." | God's grace initiates and enables repentance. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." | God's desire for all humanity to repent and be saved. |
| Lk 13:3 | "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." | Stern warning about the consequences of rejecting repentance. |
| Acts 11:18 | "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life." | God's grace extends the call to repentance to all nations, leading to eternal life. |
| Heb 6:1 | "...not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works..." | Repentance is a fundamental doctrine upon which Christian life is built. |
| Rev 2:5 | "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first..." | A call to repent from spiritual complacency or backsliding. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 12 Meaning
Mark 6:12 reveals the core mission and primary message of the disciples sent by Jesus: a compelling summons to repentance. Following Jesus' own inaugural proclamation of the Kingdom, the disciples went forth to publicly declare an urgent call for individuals to undergo a profound change of mind, turning away from sin and directing their lives towards God. This call to repentance was fundamental for responding to the gospel and experiencing the coming of God's Kingdom.
Mark 6 12 Context
Mark chapter 6 begins with Jesus' rejection in His hometown, Nazareth, underscoring the spiritual blindness of some, even those familiar with Him. Immediately following this, Jesus commissions the Twelve disciples, empowering them with authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7) and sending them out with specific instructions about dependence on God and how to handle rejection (Mk 6:8-11). Mark 6:12 describes their direct, obedient action and the central message they proclaimed. This message of repentance was not novel but was the continuous thread from John the Baptist's ministry (Mk 1:4) and Jesus' own inaugural preaching (Mk 1:15). Historically and culturally, this persistent call to repentance (Greek metanoia, "change of mind") was a radical demand. It directly challenged the prevailing Jewish legalism, which often prioritized external obedience to the Law and traditions over a sincere heart transformation. Furthermore, it stood in stark opposition to the polytheism, idolatry, and moral laxity common in the Gentile world, compelling people to abandon false worship and sinful lifestyles for devotion to the one true God and His moral standards. The very act of sending out ordinary people with such authority and a revolutionary message signaled a new era of divine intervention.
Mark 6 12 Word analysis
So: (Greek: Kai) Often translated as "And" or "Then." Here, it indicates a direct consequence or continuation of Jesus' preceding command to His disciples (Mark 6:7-11). It shows immediate action after receiving instruction.
they went out: (Greek: exelthontes) A participle, meaning "having gone out" or "when they went out." This highlights the disciples' swift and direct obedience to Jesus' commission. Their physical departure signifies the commencement of their authoritative mission outside the presence of Jesus, relying on His imparted power.
and preached: (Greek: ekēryxan) From kēryssō, meaning "to proclaim as a herald," "to make a public declaration," or "to announce with authority." This term emphasizes that their communication was not a casual sharing but an official, public, and authoritative proclamation, reflective of the authority Jesus had just granted them (Mark 6:7). It implies a formal declaration that demands a hearing.
that people should repent: (Greek: hina metanoōsin)
- that: (Greek: hina) Serves to indicate purpose or objective. It clearly states the intended outcome and central aim of their preaching. Their proclamation had a specific goal in mind.
- people should repent: (Greek: metanoōsin) From metanoeō, meaning "to change one's mind," "to turn around," "to regret," or "to reconsider." In a spiritual context, it implies a fundamental, deliberate turning away from sin and self-centeredness, and a turning toward God. This change involves the intellect (a change of understanding about sin and God), the emotions (godly sorrow over sin), and the will (a decisive turning to new behavior in line with God's will). It is a radical transformation leading to new patterns of thought and life.
Words-Groups Analysis:
- "So they went out and preached": This phrase captures the dynamic, immediate, and obedient execution of their mandate. It underscores that their proclamation (
ekēryxan) was directly consequent upon receiving Christ's authority and specific instructions. It marks the shift from being called to being sent. - "preached that people should repent": This segment reveals the singular focus and purpose of their authoritative public message. Repentance was not merely one point in a lengthy sermon, but the essential and immediate response they called for, mirroring the foundational message of John the Baptist and Jesus, serving as the necessary entry point to God's Kingdom.
- "So they went out and preached": This phrase captures the dynamic, immediate, and obedient execution of their mandate. It underscores that their proclamation (
Mark 6 12 Bonus section
The brevity of Mark 6:12 highlights the utter centrality of repentance within the Kingdom message. The disciples were not primarily sent to organize social programs, teach new ethical systems apart from transformation, or simply offer comfort. Their core mission was to call people to a foundational shift in their allegiance and way of life. This call implies humanity's sinful condition and its dire need for reconciliation with God, thereby also showcasing God's gracious provision through Christ for this change. The term metanoia suggests a reversal, a complete turning of one's inner being—thoughts, intentions, desires—towards God, making it a demanding yet liberating message that defines the entrance into true discipleship and living within God's new order.
Mark 6 12 Commentary
Mark 6:12 concisely articulates the primary message delivered by Jesus' disciples as they embarked on their initial mission. Their act of "going out" demonstrated immediate obedience to Jesus' commission, empowered by the authority He had bestowed. The term "preached" (ekēryxan) signifies a formal, public, and authoritative proclamation, aligning with the heraldic role given to them. The content of their message, "that people should repent" (hina metanoōsin), was the cornerstone. This repentance was not superficial regret but a deep, transformative change of mind and direction – a turning away from sin and towards God. It was the essential response to the advent of the Kingdom of God, a direct continuation of the core message announced by John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. This verse underscores that spiritual power demonstrated by the disciples (healing and casting out demons, as mentioned in Mark 6:13) was inextricably linked to a call for genuine, inward transformation.
- Practical examples:
- A person who previously sought security in wealth radically changing their life goals to pursue serving the needy, understanding that true richness lies in giving.
- An individual habitually given to bitterness choosing to forgive those who wronged them, reflecting a heart turned toward grace.