30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.
The previous verses of Mark’s Gospel have focused on a flashback to John the Baptist’s martyrdom but in the chronology of Mark’s narrative relating to Jesus’ ministry, Jesus has just sent out the twelve apostles to exorcise demons, heal the sick and preach repentance to the surrounding towns and villages. Now they have returned to Jesus and informed him of everything they have done, this includes teaching, although not explicitly listed in the Jesus’ charge to them, teaching comes with their authority that Jesus’ has bestowed upon them.
31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry he takes time before and after big moments to take a break and be alone with God. This pattern reflects the rest of God on the Sabbath after the six days of creation. This cycle is necessary in both a physical and spiritual way so Jesus makes sure to instruct his apostles after their little missionary work, to “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest awhile.” Not only would they need physical rest after what they have done but the spiritual space is required to give thanks for working through them. This is not a one and done incident, because of their actions after the bestowal of authority by Jesus, they are going to be approached by many more people and they need to take the time to eat and rest.
32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.
33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.
In order to secure this place of solitude among themselves, they take to their boats. The limited space of a vessel meant even if people wanted to go with them, they couldn’t and people weren’t likely able to swim the distance they were travelling even if they were motivated to do so. This gives them space both on the journey and the location they decide to shore up.
Unfortunately as we will see, many just run around the shoreline, hoping they come to shore near them at the various towns and villages. The fame of Jesus as well as his authority is now upon the shoulders of the twelve already this early in Jesus’ ministry. They are perceived as wise teachers and thus must be listened to and followed about.
34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
As they arrive on the shore, no particular location is named in this section but we can presume that it is still within the Jewish geography, Jesus sees a great crowd awaiting him. Whenever we see this phrasing we should be envisioning multiple hundreds of people, his fame has only grown since he filled entire synagogues and town squares.
Jesus feels a compassion on the crowds he sees, the meaning behind the Greek term brings to mind a guttural sense of compassion, very raw emotion. He seems all these people who have been given a taste of the Word of God and now they are entirely dependant on it. They are like sheep without a shepherd, a common analogy used for the Hebrew people. God is their shepherd and the prophets promised God would come to shepherd them again closely. Jesus is subtly being positioned as the divine shepherd in these passages though it may be glanced over by modern readers. Because of the feelings he has for these people, Jesus instead of taking time to rest with his apostles, begins to teach them many things. Mark does not clarify what it is exactly but we can assume parables as that was his custom with the common folk, Mark is not writing a transcript, just a summary of what occurred in Jesus’ ministry after all.
Leave a Reply