Mark 6:7 kjv
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mark 6:7 nkjv
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Mark 6:7 niv
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Mark 6:7 esv
And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Mark 6:7 nlt
And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.
Mark 6 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 10:1 | And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits... | Parallel commissioning of the Twelve. |
| Luke 9:1 | Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils... | Another parallel account of this event. |
| Mark 3:13-19 | And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would... (v.15) and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: | The initial calling and early gifting of the Twelve. |
| Luke 6:13 | And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; | Jesus choosing and naming the Twelve Apostles. |
| Luke 10:1 | After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face... | Jesus also sends out the seventy in pairs. |
| Deut 19:15 | One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity... at the mouth of two witnesses... | Principle of two witnesses for confirmation. |
| Ecc 4:9-12 | Two are better than one... for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow... | Strength and support found in working together. |
| Mark 1:22 | For he taught them as one that had authority (exousia), and not as the scribes. | Jesus' inherent authority demonstrated. |
| Mark 1:27 | And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves... with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits... | Acknowledgment of Jesus' authority over demons. |
| Luke 4:36 | And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits... | Another demonstration of Jesus' authority. |
| Matt 28:18 | All power (exousia) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. | Jesus' supreme and universal authority. |
| Matt 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... | The Great Commission, global outreach. |
| John 20:21 | Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. | Disciples sent with a similar divine commission. |
| Acts 1:8 | But ye shall receive power (dynamis), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you... and ye shall be witnesses... | Empowerment by the Holy Spirit for witness. |
| Acts 8:7 | For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed... | Disciples/apostles continuing to cast out demons. |
| Eph 6:12 | For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers... against spiritual wickedness in high places. | The spiritual nature of the conflict. |
| Col 2:15 | And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. | Christ's decisive victory over demonic powers. |
| Isa 52:7 | How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace... | Messengers sent with good news. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | How then shall they call on him... unless they hear? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? | The necessity of being sent to preach. |
| John 14:12 | Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also... | Believers empowered to continue Jesus' works. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 7 Meaning
This verse details Jesus commissioning His twelve disciples for their first active missionary journey. He empowers them with divine authority over unclean spirits and dispatches them in pairs, signaling a vital step in extending His ministry and confronting the spiritual darkness prevalent in the world.
Mark 6 7 Context
Mark chapter 6 begins with Jesus' rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, where He could do "no mighty work" due to their unbelief (Mark 6:1-6a). Following this significant encounter, Jesus expands His ministry beyond His personal presence. Verse 6b states He went "round about the villages, teaching." Immediately after, Mark 6:7 describes Jesus actively sending out His twelve chosen disciples. This commissioning marks a critical shift: the direct extension of Jesus' ministry through His delegated representatives. The historical context reflects a time when divine authority was largely attributed to religious leaders, but Jesus, uniquely, transfers a portion of His own authority to His followers for their mission, specifically equipping them for spiritual warfare against malevolent forces.
Mark 6 7 Word analysis
- And he called (καλέω - kaléō; προσκαλεσάμενος - proskalesámenos, literally "calling to himself"): This emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and personal initiative. He is not merely gathering, but summoning with purpose and authority.
- the twelve (οἱ δώδεκα - hoi dōdeka): Refers to the specific group of apostles Jesus previously chose and named (Mark 3:13-19). They are His inner circle, specifically commissioned for this task, signifying their unique role and authority among His followers.
- and began to send them out (ἤρξατο ἀποστέλλειν αὐτούς - ērxato apostellein autous): "Begun" implies the inauguration of a new phase of ministry or perhaps a specific, initial phase of their commissioning. The verb "ἀποστέλλειν" (apostellein) is the root for "apostle," highlighting that these men are officially designated "sent ones," divine messengers with a specific mandate.
- by two and two (δύο καὶ δύο - dyo kai dyo): This practical strategy serves multiple purposes. It provides mutual support, encouragement, and protection for the disciples in unfamiliar and potentially hostile territories. Theologically, it establishes a legal and verifiable witness, adhering to a biblical principle found in the Old Testament (e.g., Deut 19:15), ensuring the truthfulness of their testimony. It also promotes accountability and fellowship, preventing isolation.
- and gave them power (ἐδίδου αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν - edidou autois exousian): "Exousia" signifies delegated authority and the right to act, rather than inherent strength or ability ("dynamis"). This authority originates entirely from Jesus, highlighting His supreme power and His deliberate act of imparting a portion of it to them for specific tasks. It underscores that their ability is not their own but a gift.
- over unclean spirits (τῶν πνευμάτων τῶν ἀκαθάρτων - tōn pneumatōn tōn akathartōn): This refers specifically to malevolent, demonic entities. The term "unclean" emphasizes their impurity and opposition to God's holiness. This focus demonstrates that Jesus' mission, and that of His disciples, involved a direct confrontation with the forces of spiritual darkness, which had a profound impact on human lives in their culture and beyond.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And he called the twelve, and began to send them out": This phrase highlights Jesus' divine initiative and the intentional commissioning of a select group. It is a purposeful dispatch, not a spontaneous venture, demonstrating Christ's strategic leadership in expanding His kingdom.
- "by two and two": This practical instruction reveals wisdom for effective ministry. It ensures mutual support, validates testimony (as per Jewish legal tradition), and offers protection. It is a foundational principle for cooperative ministry.
- "and gave them power over unclean spirits": This segment is crucial. It underscores the source of the disciples' effectiveness—it's not their own ability but Christ's imparted "exousia" or authority. This authority directly addresses the spiritual conflict that characterized Jesus' own ministry, showing a continuity of mission: combating evil.
Mark 6 7 Bonus section
This verse subtly indicates the Kingdom of God is both proclaimed and demonstrated through the tangible expulsion of evil. The disciples' commissioning here is a training exercise for their future, broader apostolic ministry following Jesus' resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit. This early mission emphasized dependence on Jesus for power, preparing them for the greater authority they would later receive. The authority granted to the disciples over unclean spirits reveals the nature of the Kingdom of God as one that liberates and cleanses, overturning the influence of darkness.
Mark 6 7 Commentary
Mark 6:7 serves as a pivotal point, initiating the disciples into active ministry that mirrors Jesus' own work. Following His rejection in Nazareth, Jesus broadens His approach by commissioning the Twelve, signifying a shift towards the systematic dissemination of the Kingdom message. The detail of sending them "by two and two" is profoundly practical and theologically rich, emphasizing mutual support, credible witness, and shared experience in a world often resistant to the Gospel. The "power over unclean spirits" signifies that their mission was not merely verbal proclamation but included a tangible demonstration of divine authority over spiritual darkness, directly confronting the reign of evil in people's lives. This was a direct, spiritual confrontation, an extension of Christ's triumph over demonic forces witnessed throughout His earlier ministry. It underscored that the battle for hearts and minds was also a battle against spiritual oppression, and the disciples were equipped by Christ for this very conflict.