Mark 6:33

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

And {G2532} the people {G3793} saw {G1492} them {G846} departing {G5217}, and {G2532} many {G4183} knew {G1921} him {G846}, and {G2532} ran {G4936} afoot {G3979} thither {G1563} out of {G575} all {G3956} cities {G4172}, and {G2532} outwent {G4281} them {G846}, and {G2532} came together {G4905} unto {G4314} him {G846}.

but many people, seeing them leave and recognizing them, ran ahead on foot from all the towns and got there first.

But many people saw them leaving and recognized them. They ran together on foot from all the towns and arrived before them.

And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.

Mark 6:33 vividly portrays the intense spiritual hunger and eagerness of the crowds following Jesus during His earthly ministry. This verse sets the immediate scene for one of Jesus' most renowned miracles, the feeding of the five thousand.

Context

Following the return of His twelve disciples from their first mission trip, where Jesus had just sent out His twelve disciples to preach and heal, Jesus sought a quiet place for them to rest and regroup (Mark 6:31). They attempted to cross the Sea of Galilee by boat to a more desolate area. However, the immense popularity of Jesus meant that their movements were constantly observed. The people, recognizing their departure, immediately understood where they were headed.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Dedication: The crowds' action of running "afoot thither out of all cities" demonstrates their extraordinary dedication and determination to be near Jesus. They outpaced the boat, highlighting their urgent desire for His presence and teaching.
  • Jesus' Widespread Popularity: The fact that "many knew him" and people came "out of all cities" underscores the extensive reach of Jesus' fame and the profound impact of His ministry across the region of Galilee.
  • Spiritual Hunger: This eagerness wasn't just curiosity; it was a deep-seated spiritual hunger for truth, healing, and hope that only Jesus could offer. This deep hunger often evoked Jesus' compassion for the harassed and helpless crowds.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "outwent them" (Greek: proephthasan, προέφθασαν) is significant. It literally means "they anticipated them" or "they arrived before them." This emphasizes the remarkable speed and foresight of the crowds, who not only ran along the shore but managed to reach the intended destination before Jesus and His disciples, who were traveling by boat. This highlights their exceptional zeal and determination to be in Jesus' presence.

Practical Application

Mark 6:33 challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual hunger and pursuit of Christ. Do we seek Him with such urgency and dedication, or do we allow comfort and distractions to hinder our pursuit? The crowds' relentless pursuit of Jesus serves as a powerful example of prioritizing spiritual needs above physical ease. Their determination to be with Him sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, illustrating that when people earnestly seek God, He often meets their needs in unexpected and abundant ways.

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.

  • Matthew 15:29

    ¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

  • Matthew 15:31

    Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

  • John 6:2

    And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

  • James 1:19

    ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • Mark 6:54

    And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

  • Mark 6:55

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

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