Mark 6:46

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

And {G2532} when he had sent {G657} them {G846} away {G657}, he departed {G565} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735} to pray {G4336}.

After he had left them, he went into the hills to pray.

After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray.

And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray.

Commentary

Mark 6:46 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry, immediately following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. After performing such a significant public miracle, Jesus intentionally seeks solitude and communion with His Heavenly Father.

Context

This verse directly follows the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:41-44), where Jesus demonstrated His divine power and compassion to a vast crowd. Before this, He had also sent His disciples out on a mission, and they had just returned to report their work (Mark 6:30). The day had been incredibly demanding, filled with intense ministry, teaching, healing, and the logistics of feeding thousands. In response, Jesus sends the crowds away, dispatches His disciples by boat, and then withdraws Himself. This act highlights Jesus's deep need for spiritual replenishment after immense public service.

Key Themes

  • The Priority of Prayer: Jesus consistently prioritized prayer, even amidst overwhelming demands. This verse illustrates His fundamental reliance on God for strength, guidance, and spiritual renewal. It underscores that even the Son of God, in His humanity, needed to connect with the Father.
  • Solitude for Spiritual Strength: By "departing into a mountain to pray," Jesus exemplifies the necessity of withdrawing from the clamor of the world and the demands of ministry to find quiet time with God. Mountains in biblical narratives often represent places of divine encounter and revelation.
  • Leadership by Example: Jesus models a vital spiritual discipline for His followers. He doesn't just preach about prayer; He lives it out, showing that effective ministry flows from a vibrant personal relationship with God. This practice is seen throughout His ministry, such as before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12) or facing His ultimate trial (Mark 14:32).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "departed into a mountain to pray" uses the Greek word oros (ὄρος) for "mountain," which simply means a hill or mountain. The significance here is not in a unique linguistic nuance of the word itself, but in the deliberate choice of location: an elevated, isolated place. This provided separation from the crowds and the disciples, fostering an environment conducive to deep, uninterrupted communion with God. It was a common practice for Jesus to seek such solitary places for prayer, as noted in other Gospel accounts (e.g., Luke 5:16).

Practical Application

Mark 6:46 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. In a world filled with constant activity and digital noise, Jesus's example teaches us the indispensable value of:

  • Intentional Withdrawal: Regularly setting aside dedicated time for prayer and quiet reflection, away from distractions.
  • Spiritual Replenishment: Recognizing that even after significant accomplishments or periods of intense service, our spiritual reserves need to be refilled through communion with God.
  • Following Christ's Pattern: If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray and seek solitude, how much more do we? This verse encourages us to cultivate a consistent and deep prayer life as the foundation for all spiritual endeavors.

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Cross-References

  • Mark 1:35

    And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

  • Matthew 6:6

    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

  • Luke 6:12

    ΒΆ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

  • Matthew 14:23

    And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

  • 1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
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