Mark 6:1

KJV

¶ And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he went out {G1831} from thence {G1564}, and {G2532} came {G2064} into {G1519} his own {G846} country {G3968}; and {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} follow {G190} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yeshua left and went to his home town, and his talmidim followed him.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus went on from there and came to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples.

American Standard Version

And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:1 marks a pivotal transition in Jesus's ministry, as He departs from the regions where He has recently performed powerful miracles and returns to His childhood home of Nazareth. This deliberate journey, undertaken with His disciples in tow, sets the stage for a significant encounter with those who knew Him best, contrasting the widespread acceptance He received elsewhere with the skepticism and lack of honor He would face in His familiar "own country."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 6:1 immediately follows a series of remarkable miracles in Mark 5, including the healing of the Gerasene demoniac, the raising of Jairus's daughter ([Mark 5:21-43](/mark/5-21-43 "Mark 5:21-43 - The Raising of Jairus's Daughter and the Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood")), and the healing of the woman with a chronic issue of blood. These events demonstrate Jesus's unparalleled authority and power, leading to widespread recognition and awe. The movement "from thence" (likely Capernaum or the surrounding region) to "his own country" (Nazareth) represents a deliberate geographical and narrative shift. This transition sets up the dramatic contrast between the faith encountered in the previous chapter and the profound unbelief Jesus will face in His hometown, leading to the proverb about a prophet's honor in [Mark 6:4](/mark/6-4 "Mark 6:4 - A Prophet is Not Without Honor Except in His Own Country").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nazareth was a small, obscure village in Galilee, not a prominent center of Jewish life. Jesus was known there not as a traveling rabbi or miracle worker, but as "the carpenter, the son of Mary" ([Mark 6:3](/mark/6-3 "Mark 6:3 - Jesus, the Carpenter")). In ancient Jewish culture, a person's identity and status were often tied to their family and place of origin. For someone to rise above their perceived station or to claim divine authority while being so intimately known from childhood was culturally challenging. This familiarity often bred skepticism, as people struggled to reconcile the miraculous claims of Jesus with their mundane knowledge of His upbringing. The common proverb, "A prophet is not without honor except in His own country, among His own relatives, and in His own house," reflects this cultural phenomenon.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 6:1 contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it highlights the **Humanity of Jesus**, showing Him returning to His earthly roots and the place of His upbringing, underscoring His full identification with humanity. Secondly, the phrase "and His disciples follow Him" emphasizes the **Nature of Discipleship** as a continuous, committed accompaniment. The disciples are constant observers of Jesus's ministry, learning from His actions and teachings in diverse settings, including those marked by resistance. This continuous presence reinforces the active and constant nature of [following Christ](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - The Call to Daily Discipleship"). Thirdly, this verse subtly introduces the theme of **Rejection and Unbelief**, foreshadowing the profound lack of faith Jesus would encounter in Nazareth. It sets up the narrative of limited miracles performed there due to the people's unbelief, a stark contrast to the powerful works seen in [Mark 5](/mark/5 "Mark 5 - Miracles of Healing and Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb (G1831) signifies a literal departure or issuing forth. In this context, it emphasizes Jesus's deliberate movement away from the previous location of His ministry, indicating a purposeful change of setting. It implies a strategic relocation rather than a casual stroll.
* **country (Greek, _patrís'_):** The term (G3968) literally means "fatherland" or "native town." It carries a deep sense of personal belonging and origin. By using this word, Mark emphasizes that Jesus is returning to the very place where He grew up, where His family resided, and where His personal history was known, making the subsequent events all the more poignant.
* **follow (Greek, _akolouthéō'_):** This verb (G190) means "to be in the same way with" or "to accompany," especially in the context of a disciple following a teacher. It denotes active and continuous accompaniment, signifying the disciples' unwavering commitment and their role as constant witnesses to Jesus's ministry, even as He enters challenging or familiar territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And he went out from thence,":** This clause indicates a clear geographical departure by Jesus from the area where He had just performed significant miracles (likely Capernaum or the surrounding region of Galilee). The "thence" points back to the immediate preceding narrative, signaling a change of scene and a new phase of His ministry.
* **"and came into his own country;":** This signifies Jesus's arrival in Nazareth, His hometown. The phrase "his own country" underscores the personal and familial connection Jesus had to this specific place, setting the stage for an encounter with those who had known Him since childhood and would struggle to accept His divine authority.
* **"and his disciples follow him.":** This final clause highlights the continuous presence and unwavering commitment of Jesus's disciples. Their accompaniment signifies their ongoing training, their role as witnesses to His ministry, and their shared journey with Him into all circumstances, including those that would prove difficult or unreceptive.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 6:1 employs several literary devices to set the stage for the subsequent narrative. It functions as a crucial **Transition**, moving the geographical focus of Jesus's ministry from the successful, miracle-laden regions of Mark 5 to the familiar, yet resistant, territory of His hometown. This shift also serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the rejection Jesus will face in Nazareth, which is explicitly articulated in [Mark 6:4](/mark/6-4 "Mark 6:4 - A Prophet is Not Without Honor"). The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast**, juxtaposing the widespread faith and powerful works seen in the preceding chapter with the anticipated skepticism and limited miracles that will characterize His visit to Nazareth. This sets up a dramatic tension that underscores the theme of unbelief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:1, though seemingly a simple geographical transition, carries profound theological weight. It demonstrates Jesus's unwavering commitment to His mission, even to those who might be least receptive. His return to "his own country" underscores His full humanity and His rootedness in a specific historical and cultural context, yet it also highlights the tragic paradox that familiarity can sometimes breed contempt, hindering the recognition of divine truth. This verse sets the stage for a critical lesson on the nature of faith and unbelief, revealing that even the most intimate knowledge of a person's background can become a stumbling block to acknowledging God's work through them. It reminds us that God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected people, challenging our preconceived notions.

* [Matthew 13:54-58](/matthew/13-54-58 "Matthew's Account of Jesus' Rejection in Nazareth")
* [Luke 4:16-30](/luke/4-16-30 "Luke's Account of Jesus' Sermon and Rejection in Nazareth")
* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own, But They Received Him Not")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:1 offers a powerful invitation to self-reflection regarding our own openness to spiritual truth, particularly when it comes from familiar sources. We are often prone to allowing our preconceived notions, based on a person's background or our long-standing relationship with them, to hinder our ability to perceive God's anointing or message through them. This verse challenges us to cultivate a humble and discerning spirit, recognizing that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or our personal history with them, to deliver His message or manifest His power. Furthermore, the steadfastness of the disciples in following Jesus into what would prove to be a challenging and unreceptive environment serves as a model for our own discipleship. It calls us to commit to following Christ not just in moments of triumph and widespread acceptance, but also into situations marked by resistance, skepticism, or discomfort, trusting that His presence and purpose remain constant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might our familiarity with a person, place, or even a particular biblical passage, inadvertently blind us to fresh spiritual insights or God's present work?**
* **In what ways are we called to "follow" Jesus into challenging or uncomfortable situations in our own lives or communities today?**
* **What does Jesus's willingness to return to Nazareth, despite knowing the potential for rejection, teach us about perseverance, humility, and the nature of divine love?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus return to Nazareth?**

Answer: Jesus returned to Nazareth, His hometown, as part of His ongoing mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. It was customary for Him to teach in synagogues, and He likely sought to bring the message of salvation and healing to the very community where He grew up. His return, however, served to highlight the profound principle that "a prophet is not without honor except in His own country" ([Mark 6:4](/mark/6-4 "Mark 6:4 - A Prophet is Not Without Honor")).

**What does "his own country" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In Mark 6:1, "his own country" (Greek: _patrís_) refers specifically to Nazareth, the small Galilean village where Jesus spent His childhood and young adult years. It was His "fatherland" or "hometown," the place where His family and early life were known to the community.

**What is the significance of the disciples following him?**

Answer: The detail that "his disciples follow him" is significant because it underscores the continuous and unwavering commitment of Jesus's followers. They were constant companions, observing His actions, learning from His teachings, and witnessing His interactions in various settings, including the challenging environment of His own familiar territory. This reinforces the active and constant nature of discipleship, where followers are called to accompany their Lord into all circumstances, even those marked by resistance or skepticism, as seen in [Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - The Call to Daily Discipleship")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 6:1, with Jesus's return to "his own country," profoundly foreshadows the broader narrative of Christ's rejection by "his own" people, Israel, even as He came as their promised Messiah. Just as His hometown failed to recognize Him beyond His familiar human origins, so too did many within Israel stumble over His humble beginnings and unconventional ministry, failing to see Him as the Son of God. This echoes the poignant truth declared in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own, But They Received Him Not"): "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." Yet, Jesus's willingness to go to Nazareth, despite knowing the likely outcome, exemplifies His unwavering commitment to His redemptive mission, a mission that would culminate in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. He is the prophet rejected by His own, who nevertheless becomes the cornerstone of God's new temple ([Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"); [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Jesus, the Cornerstone")). The disciples' faithful following also prefigures the church's enduring call to follow the rejected Christ, carrying His message of salvation to all nations, even in the face of unbelief, as commissioned in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 4:16

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luke 4:30

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Matthew 13:54

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

Matthew 13:58

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 13:4

And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: