Mark 6 33

Mark 6:33 kjv

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

Mark 6:33 nkjv

But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him.

Mark 6:33 niv

But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

Mark 6:33 esv

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

Mark 6:33 nlt

But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 33 Meaning

Mark 6:33 vividly depicts the overwhelming eagerness and determined pursuit of the crowds following Jesus. Despite His and His disciples' attempt to withdraw for a period of rest, a vast multitude of people recognized their departure by boat and, driven by their needs, demonstrated remarkable initiative. They quickly converged on foot from various surrounding towns, traveling overland to the intended remote destination. Their physical exertion and foresight allowed them to arrive before Jesus' boat, thus thwarting His desire for solitude and setting the stage for continued ministry. This verse underscores the compelling magnetism of Jesus and the profound human spiritual and physical needs that compelled such diligent pursuit.

Mark 6 33 Context

Mark 6:33 immediately follows Jesus' instruction for His twelve disciples to rest after their mission trip (Mark 6:7-13, 30-31), during which they preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed the sick. The context also includes the recent, disturbing news of John the Baptist's execution (Mark 6:14-29). Seeking respite and a place for deeper instruction, Jesus and His disciples boarded a boat to a solitary location on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, likely near Bethsaida (Mark 6:32). This verse then describes how their attempt at privacy was foiled. The diligent pursuit of the crowds highlights the intense public awareness of Jesus, the powerful impact of His ministry, and the deep needs people perceived He could meet. This large gathering sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, emphasizing that the multitude's presence was not incidental but resulted from their determined pursuit of Jesus.

Mark 6 33 Word analysis

• And many saw them departing: The fame of Jesus and His disciples had spread extensively, making their movements observable even when seeking solitude. This phrase suggests numerous people were aware of their intention to leave, underscoring the high public profile of Jesus' ministry.
• and knew him (ἔγνωσαν αὐτόν - egnōsan auton): This is more than mere visual recognition; egnōsan (from ginōskō) signifies a deep, personal, or experiential knowledge. It implies they understood who Jesus was—His authority, His power, or His reputation as a teacher and healer—and inferred where He was headed based on His usual pattern of seeking solitary places. This recognition fueled their pursuit.
• and ran afoot thither (συνέδραμον πεζῇ ἐκεῖ - synedramon pezē ekei): Synedramon implies "running together" or "converging rapidly." Pezē specifically means "by foot" or "by land," distinguishing their mode of travel from the boat. This highlights their exceptional physical exertion and urgency. They literally ran to the destination.
• out of all cities (ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν πόλεων - apo pasōn tōn poleōn): A hyperbolic expression, indicating a massive, widespread spontaneous convergence of people from various towns and villages surrounding the Sea of Galilee. This conveys the immense drawing power of Jesus, attracting individuals from across the region.
• and outwent them (προῆλθον αὐτούς - proēlthon autous): Proēlthon means "went before" or "outstripped." The crowds anticipated Jesus' boat journey. Boats traveling on the Sea of Galilee often followed the coastline, making a direct overland journey by foot, especially by cutting across peninsulas, quicker for someone determined to reach the same point on the opposite side. This shows their remarkable foresight and commitment.
• and came together unto him (συνῆλθον πρὸς αὐτόν - synēlthon pros auton): This phrase emphasizes the ultimate goal and magnet of their zealous effort: gathering around Jesus Himself. Their purpose in traveling was not simply to reach the location, but to re-engage with Him.

• many saw them departing, and knew him: This grouping underscores the widespread public awareness and informed recognition of Jesus. Their actions were not based on fleeting curiosity but on a developed understanding of His identity and a perceived need for His presence.
• ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them: This passage dramatically illustrates the people's immense desire and determined initiative. It portrays a collective, zealous rush that overcomes physical barriers (the landscape) and temporal disadvantages (boat travel), highlighting an extraordinary commitment born of desperation or deep spiritual hunger.
• and came together unto him: This concludes the description of their pursuit, highlighting the singular focus and destination of their collective effort. Regardless of their diverse origins, their purpose was unified: to gather around Jesus. This reveals Him as the central figure of hope and attraction for the multitude.

Mark 6 33 Bonus section

• The dramatic pursuit by the crowds underlines the compelling spiritual "thirst" and physical ailments prevalent in first-century Galilee that only Jesus seemed capable of addressing effectively.
• This intense public pressure for Jesus' presence often prevented Him from finding solitude for Himself and His disciples, a recurring theme in the Gospels. This contrasts the human need with Jesus' occasional need for private prayer or rest (e.g., Mark 1:35, 6:46).
• The ability of the crowd to "outwent them" by foot signifies not only their speed and determination but also the geography of the Sea of Galilee. Boats, though faster in water, might have to travel around significant inlets or landforms, making a direct path on foot potentially quicker.

Mark 6 33 Commentary

Mark 6:33 powerfully conveys the immense personal appeal and urgent necessity of Jesus' ministry for the people of Galilee. It illustrates a crowd so intensely drawn to Him that they would make extraordinary physical effort—running overland from numerous cities to outpace a boat—simply to be in His presence. This unwavering pursuit stems from their deep spiritual need, as Jesus later notes them to be "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34), emphasizing their desperate need for guidance, teaching, and healing. The verse acts as a vital transition, explaining how such a massive gathering formed unexpectedly in a solitary place, directly setting the stage for the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. It challenges us to reflect on our own earnestness in seeking Christ and highlights His compassion in meeting the pressing needs of even the most demanding crowds. This eager pursuit signifies not merely curiosity but a profound, fundamental human hunger for what only Christ can provide.