Mark 6 35

Mark 6:35 kjv

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

Mark 6:35 nkjv

When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.

Mark 6:35 niv

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late.

Mark 6:35 esv

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.

Mark 6:35 nlt

Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 35 Meaning

Mark 6:35 describes the situation leading up to the feeding of the five thousand. As evening drew to a close, Jesus's disciples recognized the challenging circumstances—a vast crowd in a remote area with no provisions. They approached Jesus to voice their practical concern about feeding everyone, highlighting the lateness of the hour and the desolate location. This verse sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His divine compassion and miraculous provision in the face of human inadequacy.

Mark 6 35 Context

This verse is the direct prelude to the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand, a pivotal miracle recounted in all four Gospels. Prior to this, Jesus and His disciples had withdrawn to a deserted place for rest, seeking respite after an intense period of ministry, which included the disciples' first missionary journey and the news of John the Baptist's brutal death at Herod's hand (Mark 6:7-30). However, the crowds, eager for healing and teaching, discovered their location and followed them. Despite the initial intention for solitude, Jesus's compassion was moved by the sight of the leaderless multitude (Mark 6:34), prompting Him to begin teaching them. As the day progressed, the practical problem of providing for thousands in an isolated region became pressing. The disciples' concern expressed in Mark 6:35 directly leads to Jesus's miraculous solution, showcasing His power and compassion over human limitations.

Mark 6 35 Word analysis

• When it was already late (ὄψίας ἤδη γενομένης - opsias ēdē genomenēs):

  • "late" (ὄψίας - opsias): Refers to the "second evening" or "late evening," typically from 3 PM until sunset. Jewish tradition distinguished between two evenings: the first (early afternoon, around 3 PM) and the second (sunset to nightfall). The "second evening" indicated the day was concluding and night was approaching, a time when activity ceased and provisions became scarce.
  • "already" (ἤδη - ēdē): An emphatic adverb meaning "already," "by now." It stresses the advanced nature of the hour, adding to the urgency and highlighting the pressing time constraint for obtaining food through natural means.
  • Significance: This detail underscores the immediate logistical challenge. The disciples recognized that conventional solutions for feeding such a large crowd were becoming impossible due to the approaching night and the lack of accessible towns.

• His disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ - hoi mathētai autou):

  • "disciples" (μαθηταὶ - mathētai): Means "learners," "pupils," or "apprentices." These are the Twelve, recently returned from their first mission where they experienced spiritual authority (Mark 6:7-13). Despite this, their immediate reaction to the situation is practical human assessment, not necessarily anticipating divine intervention.
  • Significance: Their action here reveals their developing understanding and limited perspective. They identify the problem but initially struggle to envision Jesus's unconventional solution, highlighting their reliance on Him even as they were sent out to minister.

• came to Him (προσελθόντες αὐτῷ - proselthontes autō):

  • "came to" (προσελθόντες - proselthontes): A participle indicating initiative and approach. They actively sought out Jesus to bring the problem to His attention.
  • Significance: It shows their dependency on Jesus for guidance and problem-solving, even though they had just been exercising authority themselves. They knew He was the one to turn to in a crisis.

• and said (λέγουσιν αὐτῷ - legousin autō):

  • A straightforward declaration, conveying their concern and their assessment of the situation.

• "This is a deserted place" (ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος - erēmos estin ho topos):

  • "deserted place" (ἔρημός τόπος - erēmos topos): "Erēmos" translates to "wilderness," "desolate," or "uninhabited." It does not necessarily imply a barren desert but rather an uncultivated, sparsely populated area far from towns and markets, lacking immediate resources. It was likely a secluded area of pasture or open country near the Sea of Galilee.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the complete absence of human infrastructure for supplying food. There were no shops or houses nearby where food could be purchased, highlighting the overwhelming practical impossibility of the situation for conventional means.

• "and it is already very late" (ἤδη ὥρα πολλή - ēdē hōra pollē):

  • "very late" (ὥρα πολλή - hōra pollē - literally "much hour" or "many hours"): Reinforces the urgency stated earlier. The repetition of "already" (ἤδη) further stresses the lateness. It's not merely late, but significantly past the time when people would normally seek food or lodging in a foreign area.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the extreme time pressure. The lack of time compounded the problem of the remote location, making a human solution virtually impossible. This doubled emphasis sets the stage for a demonstration of divine power where human limits are starkly evident.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When it was already late...and it is already very late": The repetition of urgency underscores the practical constraints. It highlights the natural progression towards a point of no return for human effort, inviting a divine solution. The hour suggests a common time when meals would have been eaten, and shops would soon close.
  • "His disciples came to Him and said": This phrasing showcases the disciples acting as responsible caregivers, identifying a critical need within their immediate oversight (the crowd) and bringing the problem to the Master. It implies an expectation of a solution, albeit perhaps an earthly one.
  • "This is a deserted place, and it is already very late": This statement collectively forms the disciples' assessment of the dire circumstances. It's a pragmatic, human-centered analysis of an impossible situation: nowhere to get food (deserted place) and no time to do so (very late). This paints a picture of complete lack, perfect for God to display abundance.

Mark 6 35 Bonus section

• The disciples' approach to Jesus with the problem, rather than just despairing, reflects a degree of developing faith, recognizing Jesus as the one capable of handling the challenges beyond their means.
• This verse can be seen as an example of Jesus allowing a problem to escalate to the point where human solutions are exhausted, creating an undeniable need for divine intervention, thus magnifying the glory of God.
• The "deserted place" might also subtly recall the Old Testament narratives of Israel's journey through the wilderness (Exodus), where God sustained them directly with manna and quail. Jesus here acts as the new Moses, the divine provider.
• The impending night further limits possibilities, metaphorically suggesting the encroaching darkness of need and despair, only to be dispelled by Christ, the Light of the World, and His abundant provision.

Mark 6 35 Commentary

Mark 6:35 serves as the critical turning point preceding one of Jesus's most famous miracles. The disciples, demonstrating both concern and pragmatic limitations, lay out the facts as they see them: an enormous, hungry crowd in an unprovisioned, isolated location as night approaches. Their perspective is entirely human and focused on immediate logistical problems. They voice what any practical leader would identify as an insurmountable obstacle. This moment powerfully contrasts human inadequacy and concern with divine capacity and compassion. The very specific temporal ("already late," "very late") and geographical ("deserted place") details highlight the seemingly hopeless nature of the situation. This stark assessment by the disciples inadvertently provides the perfect backdrop for Jesus to reveal His divine power as the compassionate Shepherd and the One who provides for His flock even in the wilderness, echoing God's provision for Israel in the Old Testament. It moves the narrative from concern over practical problems to an expectation of extraordinary solutions from Christ.