Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Context

Mark 6 began with Jesus being rejected in his hometown and sending the Twelve on a ‘mission trip.’ At the high point of the disciples’ success, Mark interrupts his narrative to relay the death of John the Baptist. It is following this darker narrative that the apostles return, telling Jesus “all that they had done and taught” (v30).

As we reflect on this text, we might notice verses 35-52 (which are omitted by the Revised Common Lectionary). Contained in these verses is Mark’s telling of the feeding of the five thousand, and Jesus’ walking on water. There are some challenging aspects to the way Mark relates these two miracles, especially in how the disciples are portrayed. If we skip straight from verse 34 to 53, we could maintain a heroic…