Mark 6 55

Mark 6:55 kjv

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

Mark 6:55 nkjv

ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.

Mark 6:55 niv

They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

Mark 6:55 esv

and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.

Mark 6:55 nlt

and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 55 Meaning

Following Jesus' arrival in Gennesaret, the people immediately recognized Him. News of His presence spread with great speed and urgency throughout the entire surrounding region. As a result, many people began to actively and earnestly bring their sick, often those so ill they were confined to their beds, directly to Jesus wherever He was found, demonstrating a profound expectation and belief in His power to heal.

Mark 6 55 Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus walking on water and calming the storm, and His disciples' difficulty in understanding these miraculous events (Mk 6:45-52). Upon their arrival by boat to the shore at Gennesaret, the people instantly recognized Jesus. Gennesaret was a fertile plain on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, a populous area often associated with Capernaum, where Jesus had frequently ministered. The immediate recognition and fervent response described in this verse speak to the immense fame Jesus had already gained across the region due to His numerous teachings, exorcisms, and particularly His healing miracles that had preceded this event (Mk 1:32-34; 3:7-10). The scene vividly portrays the desperation of the populace and their confident expectation that Jesus possessed divine power to heal all infirmities, a perception shaped by His ongoing ministry.

Mark 6 55 Word analysis

• and ran (καὶ περιδραμόντες - kai peridramontes):
  • Word: "περιδραμόντες" (peridramontes) is an aorist active participle, meaning "having run around" or "running throughout."
  • Significance: It conveys urgency, speed, and widespread movement. The news of Jesus' presence spread like wildfire, causing people to act swiftly and proactively. It highlights a frenetic, immediate, and energetic response.
• throughout all (πᾶσαν - pasan):
  • Word: "πᾶσαν" (pasan) means "all" or "every."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the extensiveness of the area covered. It wasn't just a small village but the entire surrounding district, indicating Jesus' widespread fame.
• the region (τὴν περίχωρον - tēn perichōron):
  • Word: "περίχωρον" (perichōron) refers to the surrounding district or country.
  • Significance: Points to the geographical scope. People were coming not only from Gennesaret but also from nearby towns and villages, suggesting an effective and immediate communication network.
• and began (ἤρξαντο - ērxanto):
  • Word: "ἤρξαντο" (ērxanto) means "they began."
  • Significance: Denotes the commencement of an action. It implies a systematic, persistent effort that continued as long as Jesus was in the vicinity, indicating a large-scale, ongoing movement.
• to bring (φέρουσιν - pherousin):
  • Word: "φέρουσιν" (pherousin) is in the present tense, "they are bringing." Mark sometimes uses the "historical present" to make the narrative more vivid and immediate.
  • Significance: Implies continuous action; people kept bringing the sick. It also emphasizes the physical effort involved, as many were too infirm to come on their own. This reflects a communal act of care and desperation.
• those who were sick (τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας - tous kakōs echontas):
  • Word: "κακῶς ἔχοντας" (kakōs echontas) literally "those who are in a bad way," meaning ill or suffering.
  • Significance: Describes the condition of those brought. It's a general term covering various illnesses, implying that Jesus healed all kinds of afflictions, without limitation.
• on their beds (ἐπὶ κραββάτοις - epi krabattois):
  • Word: "κραββάτοις" (krabattois) refers to cots, mats, or pallets, often simple and portable sleeping surfaces, especially for the poor or ill.
  • Significance: This specific detail highlights the severe nature of the sicknesses; these individuals were too incapacitated to walk. It underscores their utter helplessness and the extraordinary effort of those carrying them, symbolizing faith through action.
• to him (πρὸς αὐτόν - pros auton):
  • Word: "αὐτόν" (auton) means "Him" (referring to Jesus).
  • Significance: Stresses that Jesus was the focal point, the source of their hope and healing. All efforts were directed specifically to Him.
• wherever they heard (ὅπου ἤκουον - hopou ēkouon):
  • Word: "ὅπου" (hopou) means "wherever," and "ἤκουον" (ēkouon) is the imperfect tense of "to hear," implying continuous hearing.
  • Significance: Indicates Jesus' mobility and the diligence and persistence of the people. They followed Him actively, not expecting Him to remain stationary or come to them. Their search for Him was dynamic and continuous, showcasing unwavering determination rooted in strong faith.
• he was (ὅπου ἤκουον αὐτόν - hopou ēkouon auton - implied):
  • Significance: The structure "wherever they heard he was" demonstrates a strong belief in the immediacy of His presence and power. His location was critical; their access to healing depended on being near Him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and ran throughout all the region": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the swift, energetic, and comprehensive dissemination of information. It conveys the widespread excitement and anticipation, demonstrating the profound impact Jesus' presence had on entire communities, quickly drawing people from all surrounding areas. This suggests that His reputation preceded Him and was cause for immediate, decisive action by the community.
• "and began to bring those who were sick on their beds": This highlights the practical, physical act of desperation and communal effort. The focus on "beds" indicates severe illnesses that left people immobile, making the act of bringing them to Jesus a significant undertaking of faith and care. The "beginning to bring" suggests a steady flow and continuous effort, not a one-time event, indicating the sheer volume of those in need and the ongoing availability of Jesus' power.
• "to him wherever they heard he was": This underscores Jesus' central role as the sole source of healing and the active pursuit by the people. It illustrates their persistence and faith; they were willing to travel and track Jesus' movements, showing that they valued His power above convenience. It implies that people were not passive but active participants in seeking healing, constantly monitoring His location to ensure access to His transformative power.

Mark 6 55 Bonus section

The intensity and spontaneity of the people's reaction in Gennesaret, where they ran to spread the news and fetch the sick, suggest an existing expectation and perhaps even a readiness for divine intervention in their midst. This behavior reflects not just desperation but an underlying faith that a powerful healer like Jesus was present and available. The lack of detailed instruction from Jesus regarding how to bring the sick implies that His healing presence was understood by the people as accessible through simple proximity and earnest desire. This passage also showcases the pervasive reach of oral tradition and word-of-mouth in ancient societies, where news of someone like Jesus could travel quickly and elicit immediate, collective action from an entire "region," demonstrating His powerful impact beyond official decrees or organized efforts.

Mark 6 55 Commentary

Mark 6:55 reveals the extraordinary impact of Jesus's ministry as He stepped ashore in Gennesaret. The immediacy with which the people recognized Him and the sheer fervor of their response – literally running to spread the news and then continuously bringing their most desperately ill to Him – underscores Jesus' widespread fame and the deep-seated hope He inspired. This verse is not merely a record of events; it's a testament to people's overwhelming faith, however nascent, and their complete trust in Jesus as their accessible and powerful Healer. The image of the "beds" emphasizes the severity of the illnesses and the significant communal effort required, highlighting Jesus's profound compassion and capacity to touch lives even in their most vulnerable states. The active search for "wherever they heard He was" points to Jesus' mobility and accessibility, portraying Him not as a static divine figure but one actively moving among and ministering to the people, fulfilling the prophecy of the Suffering Servant who bears human infirmities. The narrative emphasizes a direct, immediate, and widespread outpouring of human need met by divine power, contrasting with the slower, more ritualistic approaches of the day and emphasizing Jesus as the personal, ultimate, and readily available source of healing.