Mark 6 5

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.

Mark 6:5 nkjv

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Mark 6:5 niv

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Mark 6:5 esv

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Mark 6:5 nlt

And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 5 Meaning

Mark 6:5 indicates that Jesus, in his hometown of Nazareth, was unable to perform many "deeds of power" or miracles due to the pervasive unbelief of the inhabitants. His supernatural abilities, while inherent, were not extensively demonstrated there. He was limited to healing only a small number of sick individuals through the act of laying on hands, rather than the widespread, dramatic miracles seen elsewhere in His ministry. This verse underscores that human faith or the lack thereof can significantly influence the manifestation of divine power.

Mark 6 5 Context

Mark chapter 6 begins with Jesus returning to His hometown of Nazareth after performing many miracles and teaching with authority elsewhere. He begins to teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath, astounding the people. However, their astonishment quickly turns to familiarity and contempt as they question His authority and divine power, pointing to His humble origins as "the carpenter" and the son of Mary, known to them and related to His brothers and sisters. This immediate context of deep-seated unbelief, familiarity breeding contempt, and resistance to His prophetic claims, directly sets the stage for the limitations observed in verse 5 regarding Jesus's ability to perform "deeds of power" among them. The people's preconceived notions and lack of reverence effectively closed the door to the full demonstration of God's miraculous presence.

Mark 6 5 Word analysis

• He could not do: (Greek: οὐκ ἐδύνατο ποιῆσαι, ouk edynato poiēsai). The verb edynato is imperfect active indicative, indicating a continuous or repeated inability in that specific context. This is not a limitation on Jesus's inherent omnipotence or divine power, but rather a descriptive statement of what actually happened. Scholars generally agree this refers to the manifestation of His power. It was "not appropriate" or "unsuitable" for Him to perform many miracles where faith was absent, as divine power often operates in concert with human receptivity. It's an instance where God honors human free will to believe or disbelieve, thereby affecting the scope of divine intervention. The term does not suggest a lack of ability in God, but rather a constraint based on the prevailing spiritual climate and unbelief of the people, similar to how human rebellion can grieve or limit the outworking of God's desired plans (Ps 78:41; Isa 63:10).
• any miracles: (Greek: οὐδεμίαν δύναμιν, oudemian dynamin). Dynamis (power) refers here to extraordinary works of power, often translated as "miracles" or "mighty works." The word oudemian (not one, no one, none at all) is a strong negation, but it should be understood in light of the exception that follows. It highlights the stark contrast to Jesus's ministry elsewhere where He performed many dynameis. It's not about total inability to do anything at all, but inability to perform the grand, demonstrative "acts of power" that characterize His other ministries.
• there: (Greek: ἐκεῖ, ekei). Specifically refers to Nazareth, Jesus's hometown. This detail is significant because familiarity often bred contempt and incredulity among those who knew Jesus as the local carpenter, hindering their spiritual receptivity to Him as the Christ.
• except: (Greek: εἰ μὴ, ei mē). This is a strong adversative particle, meaning "unless" or "except for." It introduces the precise exception to the general statement of "no miracles." It delineates what could be done, showing that a minimal level of healing was still possible, albeit limited in scope and nature compared to His usual mighty works.
• lay his hands on: (Greek: ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας, epitheis tas cheiras). This was a common biblical gesture signifying blessing, commissioning, or healing (e.g., Mk 5:23; 7:32; 8:23). It wasn't always associated with grand miracles (dynameis), but often with more direct, personal healing. The very act implies a more personal and perhaps less public or dramatic form of healing, aligning with the limited effect.
• a few sick people and heal them: (Greek: ὀλίγους ἀρρώστους θεραπεῦσαι, oligous arrōstous therapeusai). Oligous (a few, a small number) emphasizes the restricted quantity, directly contrasting with "many" (Mk 1:34; 3:10) healed elsewhere. Arrōstous refers to those who are "weak," "infirm," or "sick." Therapeusai means "to heal" or "to restore to health." Even in an environment of unbelief, Jesus's compassion and power were still available to those who may have had a flicker of faith or open receptivity.

Mark 6 5 Bonus section

The apparent "limitation" in Mark 6:5 serves a crucial theological point, challenging any notion that God's power is forced upon humanity without regard for their will. It underlines that miracles are not mere spectacles, but invitations to faith. The "could not" does not imply omnipotence was suspended, but rather that a full, wide display of His power was not consistent with the spiritual disposition of the Nazareth crowd. Jesus refrained from performing many great works not out of an inability to overcome their unbelief, but because performing more wonders would have been meaningless to those with hardened hearts and might have encouraged a superficial faith devoid of true commitment, thereby not serving God's ultimate redemptive purposes. This passage illustrates that while God is sovereign, He also operates in a way that respects human freedom, seeking willing and receptive hearts for the manifestation of His most powerful works.

Mark 6 5 Commentary

Mark 6:5 presents a poignant moment in Jesus's ministry, highlighting that divine power, while limitless in essence, often expresses itself within the framework of human receptivity and faith. It does not suggest a defect in Jesus's power or His being less than God, but rather reflects the spiritual dynamic where persistent unbelief in Nazareth formed a barrier to the full outpouring of God's mighty works. The very presence of miracles is meant to elicit faith, yet here, unbelief prevented their demonstration. The few healings He did perform, through the common gesture of laying on hands, were a testament to His enduring compassion, even when larger acts were hindered by the atmosphere of skepticism. This serves as a critical reminder that God honors human will, and our openness or resistance significantly impacts the observable manifestation of His power in our lives and communities. It calls believers to cultivate an environment of faith, anticipating God's extraordinary intervention, and serves as a warning against the dangers of familiarity or intellectual pride stifling divine possibilities.