Mark 6:10

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, In what place soever {G3699}{G1437} ye enter {G1525} into {G1519} an house {G3614}, there {G1563} abide {G3306} till {G2193}{G302} ye depart {G1831} from that place {G1564}.

Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place;

And He told them, “When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that area.

And he said unto them, Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence.

Commentary

Mark 6:10 records a specific and practical instruction given by Jesus to His twelve disciples as He sent them out on their first missionary journey, emphasizing their conduct regarding hospitality and dependence.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' detailed instructions to the apostles whom He sent out two by two with authority over unclean spirits. He had commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, emphasizing radical dependence on God's provision. The directive in Mark 6:10 follows this, addressing how they should conduct themselves regarding lodging and hospitality. This instruction was crucial for maintaining their focus on the mission and avoiding distractions or appearing opportunistic.

Similar instructions are found in the other Synoptic Gospels, such as Matthew 10:11-14 and Luke 9:4, and more extensively in Luke 10:5-7 when Jesus sent out the seventy disciples.

Key Themes

  • Simplicity and Dependence: Jesus instructed His disciples to live simply, relying entirely on the hospitality of those who received them. This fostered a deep trust in God's provision rather than human planning or material security.
  • Contentment and Humility: By commanding them to "abide" in the first house that welcomed them, Jesus taught His disciples not to seek better or more comfortable accommodations. It encouraged contentment with what was offered and humility in accepting hospitality without comparing or seeking an upgrade. This also prevented the appearance of being fickle or opportunistic.
  • Focus on the Mission: This directive prevented distractions and time wasted on seeking new lodging or better comforts. Their primary focus was to be on proclaiming the Kingdom of God and healing, not on their personal convenience.
  • Respect for Hosts: Staying in one house avoided burdening multiple families and showed respect for the initial hospitality offered. It also maintained their credibility and integrity as messengers of Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "abide" is menō (μένω), which means to remain, stay, or dwell. It implies a settled and continuous presence, not just a brief stopover. This emphasizes the expectation that once a suitable place was found, the disciples were to settle there for the duration of their stay in that town, reinforcing the themes of contentment and commitment to their hosts. The instruction was not to move from house to house, either to find a better place or to spread the burden, but to accept the initial provision as God's will.

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 6:10 offers profound lessons in ministry and daily life. It encourages a spirit of contentment and humility, reminding us not to constantly seek better circumstances or material comforts, especially when engaged in God's work. It underscores the importance of focusing on the mission—whether evangelism, service, or personal spiritual growth—rather than being sidetracked by worldly concerns or desires for personal convenience. It also teaches us to be grateful for the provision we receive, reflecting a trust in God's faithfulness in all circumstances, as seen in Paul's teaching on contentment in Philippians 4:11. This principle applies to all areas of life, encouraging us to find peace and purpose in our current circumstances while serving God.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 16:15

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

  • Matthew 10:11

    And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

  • Matthew 10:13

    And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

  • Luke 9:4

    And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

  • Acts 17:5

    But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

  • Acts 17:7

    Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.

  • Luke 10:7

    And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
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