Mark 6:13

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them].

And {G2532} they cast out {G1544} many {G4183} devils {G1140}, and {G2532} anointed {G218} with oil {G1637} many {G4183} that were sick {G732}, and {G2532} healed {G2323} them.

they expelled many demons, and they anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

They also drove out many demons and healed many of the sick, anointing them with oil.

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Context of Mark 6:13

This verse describes a significant moment in the ministry of Jesus' disciples. It follows directly after Jesus sent out the twelve disciples two by two, giving them specific instructions and "power over unclean spirits." Mark 6:13 details the practical outworking of this delegated authority. They were not merely preaching, but actively demonstrating the power and compassion of God's kingdom through miraculous signs, confirming their message to the people of Galilee and beyond.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Delegated Authority and Power: The disciples acted not on their own strength, but by the authority given to them by Jesus. This highlights the concept of divine empowerment for ministry, where God equips those He sends. Their ability to "cast out many devils" clearly signifies the triumph of God's kingdom over the forces of evil.
  • Ministry of Healing and Deliverance: The verse emphasizes the compassionate and holistic nature of Jesus' ministry, which extended beyond spiritual teaching to physical healing and liberation from demonic oppression. This active demonstration of power was a sign of the inbreaking of the kingdom of God.
  • Anointing with Oil: The practice of "anointing with oil" for the sick was common in ancient times, often having both medicinal and symbolic significance. In a spiritual context, it could signify consecration, the presence of the Holy Spirit, or a symbolic act of faith accompanying prayer for healing. This practice is also mentioned in the New Testament as a specific instruction for the church in times of sickness (see James 5:14-15).

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "cast out many devils" uses the Greek verb exeballon (ἐξέβαλλον), which means "they were casting out" or "they kept casting out," indicating repeated and ongoing action. The term "devils" (daimonia - δαιμόνια) refers to demons or evil spirits.
  • "Anointed with oil" comes from the Greek ēleiphon elaiō (ἤλειφον ἐλαίῳ), again in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous action—they were continually anointing. The oil (elaion - ἔλαιον) was a common substance for various purposes, including medicinal and ceremonial.
  • "Healed [them]" translates etherapeuon (ἐθεράπευον), also imperfect, meaning "they were healing" or "they kept healing." This indicates that healing was a significant and repeated outcome of their ministry.

Practical Application and Reflection

Mark 6:13 serves as a foundational passage for understanding the mission of believers. It reminds us that:

  • God's Power is Available: The same power that empowered the disciples to cast out demons and heal the sick is still at work today through the Holy Spirit.
  • Compassionate Ministry: True ministry involves not only proclaiming the gospel but also demonstrating God's love through practical acts of compassion, care for the suffering, and spiritual liberation.
  • Obedience and Faith: The disciples' success was tied to their obedience to Jesus' commission and their faith in His delegated authority. This calls believers to step out in faith, trusting God to work through them.
This verse encourages us to pray for the sick, seek deliverance for the oppressed, and remember that the church is called to be an active agent of God's healing and redemptive power in the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 5:14

    Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

  • James 5:15

    And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

  • Luke 10:17

    ¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

  • Mark 6:7

    ¶ And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

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