Mark 6:5

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].

And {G2532} he could {G3756}{G1410} there {G1563} do {G4160} no {G3762} mighty work {G1411}, save {G1508} that he laid {G2007} his hands {G5495} upon a few {G3641} sick folk {G732}, and healed {G2323} them.

So he could do no miracles there, other than lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Context

Mark 6:5 finds Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth, a place where he grew up and was known simply as "the carpenter" (Mark 6:3). The preceding verses (Mark 6:1-4) describe the astonishment and skepticism of the people who knew him, leading to their profound unbelief. This verse directly follows Jesus' observation that "A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." The atmosphere of contempt and lack of faith created a unique situation for Jesus' ministry.

Key Themes

  • The Impact of Unbelief: The most striking theme is how the widespread unbelief in Nazareth hindered the manifestation of Jesus' power. It wasn't that Jesus lacked the inherent ability to perform miracles, but rather that the people's closed hearts and skepticism prevented them from receiving His mighty works. Their familiarity bred contempt, and they could not see beyond his humble upbringing.
  • Jesus' Compassion Amidst Limitation: Despite the prevailing unbelief that restricted the scope of His miraculous activity, Jesus still exercised compassion by laying hands on a "few sick folk" and healing them. This demonstrates that His mercy was not entirely quenched by their rejection, and He still responded to individual needs where there was a glimmer of receptivity.
  • Divine Power and Human Receptivity: This verse highlights a dynamic tension between God's absolute power and human free will. While God's power is infinite, its visible manifestation can be influenced by the presence or absence of faith and receptivity in the people (Matthew 13:58). This doesn't limit God, but rather the *opportunity* for Him to work in certain contexts.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mighty work" translates the Greek word dynamis (δύναμις), which signifies inherent power, strength, or miraculous ability. It is the same word used elsewhere to describe Jesus' powerful miracles. The text states "he could there do no mighty work," which does not imply a deficiency in Jesus' divine omnipotence, but rather a limitation on the *exercise* of that power in response to the prevailing unbelief. The people's hardened hearts created an environment where the usual outpouring of miraculous power was not possible on a large scale.

Practical Application

Mark 6:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in our relationship with God. Our own skepticism, familiarity, or preconceived notions can inadvertently create barriers to experiencing God's full work in our lives or communities. It challenges us to cultivate an open heart and a receptive spirit, understanding that while God is sovereign, our willingness to believe and receive often precedes the manifestation of His power. This verse encourages us to move beyond superficial knowledge and embrace genuine faith, allowing God to work powerfully without hindrance. Just as Hebrews 11:6 states that "without faith it is impossible to please him," so too does this passage show how a lack of faith can limit the visible demonstration of God's power in a given situation.

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 13:58

    And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

  • Mark 9:23

    Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

  • Mark 5:23

    And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: [I pray thee], come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

  • Hebrews 4:2

    For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].

  • Isaiah 59:1

    ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

  • Isaiah 59:2

    But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

  • Genesis 19:22

    Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

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