Mark 6:35

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time [is] far passed:

And {G2532} when the day {G5610} was {G1096} now {G2235} far spent {G4183}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} unto him {G846}, and said {G3004},{G3754} This is {G2076} a desert {G2048} place {G5117}, and {G2532} now {G2235} the time {G5610} is far passed {G4183}:

By this time, the hour was late. The talmidim came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's getting late.

By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late.

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent;

Commentary

Mark 6:35 captures a pivotal moment just before one of Jesus' most renowned miracles, setting the stage for a profound display of divine provision. The disciples, observing the rapidly fading day and the vast, uninhabited surroundings, voice their practical concerns to Jesus, highlighting the logistical challenge of feeding a massive crowd in such a remote location.

Context

This verse immediately precedes the famous account of Jesus feeding the five thousand. After a busy period of ministry and the tragic news of John the Baptist's death, Jesus and His disciples had sought a quiet, secluded place for rest (Mark 6:30-32). However, large crowds, recognizing them, followed them on foot from various towns. Seeing their weariness and hunger, Jesus was moved with compassion (Mark 6:34). The disciples' statement in verse 35 reflects their very real, human assessment of the situation: a vast multitude, a desolate region (often referred to as a "desert place" or wilderness), and the approach of evening, making it impossible to find food.

Key Themes

  • Human Limitation vs. Divine Provision: The disciples' observation ("This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed") perfectly encapsulates human inadequacy in the face of overwhelming need. It sets a stark contrast with Jesus' impending miraculous intervention, demonstrating that what is impossible for humans is possible with God.
  • Disciples' Practical Concern: This verse reveals the disciples' practical, logistical mindset. They are focused on the immediate problem of hunger and the lack of resources, without yet grasping Jesus' supernatural capacity to meet such needs.
  • Setting the Stage for Miracle: The late hour and the remote location serve to heighten the urgency and the apparent impossibility of the situation, thereby magnifying the miracle that follows. The more desperate the circumstances, the clearer God's power becomes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "desert place" translates the Greek eremos topos (ἔρημος τόπος), which refers not necessarily to a sandy desert, but to an uncultivated, uninhabited, or desolate region. It emphasizes the lack of villages or resources nearby. The repeated emphasis on "far spent" and "far passed" (horan pollēs and parēlthe ho kairos in Greek) underscores the lateness of the hour, creating a sense of urgency and the need for immediate action before nightfall.

Practical Application

Mark 6:35 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Often, we find ourselves in "desert places" in life – situations where resources are scarce, time is running out, and problems seem insurmountable. Like the disciples, our first inclination might be to assess the situation based on our limited human capabilities and resources. However, this verse reminds us to bring our seemingly impossible situations to Jesus. He is not surprised by our limitations or the enormity of our needs. Instead, He often uses these very circumstances as opportunities to display His boundless power and compassion, transforming our "desert places" into scenes of abundant provision. It encourages us to trust in God's ability to provide beyond our imagination, even when all human solutions have run out.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 9:12 (4 votes)

    And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

  • Luke 9:17 (4 votes)

    And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

  • John 6:5 (4 votes)

    When Jesus then lifted up [his] eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

  • John 6:15 (4 votes)

    ¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

  • Matthew 14:15 (2 votes)

    And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

  • Matthew 14:21 (2 votes)

    And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.