COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 62
“ Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”
(Mark 6:11-13; Matthew 10:14-15; Luke 9:5-6).
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCTION
Jesus has chosen twelve apostles that they might be with Him, and that they might preach (Mk 3:14). He knew that His tenure in the world was limited. He was sent into the world to lay down His life, and to take it up again (John 10:17-18). As soon as that was accomplished, He would be returning to heaven to mediate the new covenant, intercede for His people, and direct the affairs of His church. Everything He did was related to that mission and return. The twelve men that He chose were to occupy a key position in His church, He would direct the course of that church through their words, and they would pick up the work where He left off. Never are men to consider them as anything but His Apostles – His ambassadors, and those through whom He would establish the church. What had been kept secret since the world began would be revealed to them (Eph 3:5), and they would therefore be known as “first” in the church (1 Cor 12:28). Their words were to be remembered (2 Pet 3:2; Jude 1:17) because of the unique position into which Jesus placed them. No church can be sound who is not grounded in their teaching. In our text, Jesus sends them on their first preaching mission. They were to abide in the house of a “worthy” host while they filled the area with the good news of the Gospel. Now He gives them some further instruction.
HOW TO HANDLE REJECTION
“ 6:11a And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them . . .”
Because of the corruption of our society, there is not a general sense of the necessity of hearing the Word of the Lord, or of holding the Apostles of Christ in high regard. Because of the undue exaltation of self-worth, human opinion, and intellectual ability, men tend to place more worth on their own ideas. They feel they are free to reject the word of the Lord, or neglect the Apostles, in favor of other preferences. However, this is a total misconception, and that is confirmed in our text. If men do not receive the word of those whom Jesus sends, it is not because they are “free” to reject them, but because they are deceived and bound. When the Lord sends messengers to such people, it is their opportunity to be freed from delusion. If they refuse those messengers, a sin of the greatest magnitude has been committed.
WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU. Other versions read, “If they will not take you in,” BBE “does not welcome you,” NJB and “if a village won’t welcome you.” NLT Here the text is speaking of a village or town, not of a particular house. Matthew adds that this applied to both a house that would not receive them, and a city as well. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city” (Matt 10:14).
Jesus did not hide from His disciples the fact of rejection. It was something to which they would be subjected, and with which they must be acquainted. They could not ignore this rejection, or pretend as though it did not exist. Nor, indeed, were they to make an effort to mitigate or reduce the possibility of that rejection. The rejection was two-fold: they would not be received or heard. Both of those go together, and the one cannot be isolated from the other. There can be no attempt to reduce the possibility of rejection by not delivering the message they were commissioned to give.
NOT HEAR YOU. Not only could a place in the city not be found that would entertain them, they could not get a hearing. The people did not want to hear their message – what Jesus sent them to say. He does not tell the disciples to first make friends of the people, and then deliver the message. He does not tell them to sponsor some unrelated public event, and then speak at the close of it. He does not suggest that they sponsor a public meal to get the people in, then deliver their message. Here was a case where Jesus sent them forth to say something. The disciples were to make it clear from the very outset that this is why they came into the city – to deliver a message: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt 10:7), or “to preach the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:5). Now, what will they do if the city does not want this message?
SHAKE OFF THE DUST UNDER YOUR FEET. “When ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet,” or “shake off the dust from the soles of your feet.” NASB Luke reads, “shake off the very dust of your feet” (Lk 9:5). Let nothing from that city cling to you – not even the dust of their roads and wayside! When Jesus sent out the seventy, He gave similar instructions. “ . . . say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off”(Luke 10:11). Do you suppose you could have convinced “the twelve” that it was really of no consequence if men did not hear what they were given to say? If the condition of the city was that they could stay as long as they did not speak, does anyone imagine they would have submitted to such a condition, and remained there without speaking?
A TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM. There was to be no question about why they were leaving those who rejected them. The shaking off of the dust of that city was to be done publically “for a testimony against them.” When Jesus commissioned the seventy to do this same thing He told them to say, “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:11). That is, the opportunity to participate in the benefits God was bringing was placed squarely before them. Yet, because they refused the messengers of Jesus, the opportunity was withdrawn. This deed – shaking off the dust from their feet for a testimony against them – involved “the twelve” disassociating themselves from those who had rejected them. This is a most sobering word, indeed. Yet, you can scarcely find a person in the Christian community who would acquiesce to our Lord’s instructions.
This response was practiced by Paul and Barnabas when they confronted obstinate Jews in Antioch of Pisidia. When they were “expelled out of their coasts,” it is written, “But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium” (Acts 13:51). Paul did a similar thing when he confronted the opposition of Jews in Corinth: “he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6).
Most every person who has spent any time preaching has confronted those who refuse to hear. Sometimes they are even elders and church board members. Wherever such a thing is experienced, it is recorded in the books of heaven, and will not be forgotten.
A FRIGHTENING COMPARISON
“ 11bVerily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Just how serious is it for men – any men – to reject the message sent forth by the Lord Jesus? We will see that such a rejection has eternal ramifications. Whenever and wherever men choose to gather to themselves teachers who deliver a message that is tantalizing to the flesh, it is evidence that a falling away has already occurred. Thus it is written, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim 4:3-4). Such a condition is so common that I do not know of a single “church-planting” program that begins with the preaching of the Gospel. All such programs begin with surveys, various community programs, youth works, purported worship services, and the likes. Jesus will show us the gravity of a message that is rejected.
VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU. The word “verily” means “assuredly,” or “so be it,” and “this is indeed true.” THAYER What follows is faithful and unchanging – something that fixed, and cannot possibly be changed. Other versions read (Matt 10:15), “Truly I say unto you,”NASB “I tell you the truth,” NIV and “I solemnly tell you.” WEYMOUTH
The solidity and unchangeableness of Jesus’ words are confirmed in His frequent use of this word: “Verily.” The Gospels have Him using this word 103 times! Twenty-five of those times it is used twice to introduce a saying – “Verily, verily.” Every time our Lord used this word, it confirmed that He was “full” of truth (John 1:14), and that His words “shall, not pass away” (Matt 24:35). And what word will Jesus now say concerning those who reject His messengers and the word they were sent to deliver?
IT SHALL BE MORE TOLERABLE. “It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha.” Matthew reads, “for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah” (Matt 10:15). Jesus made the same observation concerning those who rejected the seventy, whom He also sent out: “But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city” (Luke 10:12). He said the same of those who rejected His own words. “But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee” (Mat 11:24).
What does “more tolerable” mean? It means “more bearable,” NIV “be better,” BBE “easier,” GENEVA “comfortable,” MRD “better off,” NLT or “able to be endured.” THAYER
And what is it that is said of Sodom and Gomorrah? How are we asked to consider them, and what is to come into our minds when we hear those names? “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). And again, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Pet 2:6). How could it be possible to be in a worse state than those cities?
THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Jesus is not speaking of what happened to these wicked cities in this world – but how they will fare in the when the assembled universe stands before the Lord. He means that the day of judgment will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah to bear than for those who have rejected His messengers and their message!
Jesus is not suggesting there is a possibility that Sodom and Gomorrah will survive the day of judgment. Such a notion would dull the power of His words. He is rather saying they will were “condemned” to be consumed with “eternal fire” for something of less magnitude than rejecting the Gospel, turning away its messengers, and refusing to receive the love of the truth. This by no means reduces the sins of which they were guilty: “fornication” and “going after strange flesh” (sodomy). Those are sins that still condemn people, excluding them from the kingdom of God and bringing the wrath of God upon them (Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5-6). Yet, all sin is not alike, and all sin is not on the same level. The response of a person to the Gospel of Christ and the good news of the Kingdom is of even more weight than their response to the lure of such base and condemning sins as fornication and going after strange flesh!
The day of judgment will be a time of comparison, as well as the exposure of the words and deeds of men. Nineveh, who “repented at the preaching” of condemnation by Jonah will be compared to those who rejected the preaching of salvation in Christ Jesus (Matt 12:41). The queen of Sheba, who traveled “from the uttermost part of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,” will be compared to those who were subjected to the word of a righteousness from God, and yet did not extend themselves to hear that word (Luke 11:31). And, Sodom and Gomorrah, who spurned the word of righteous Lot, will be compared with cities that spurned the only Man who every “came down from heaven” to do “the will of Him” who sent Him (John 6:38). In my judgment, this solemn word is rarely declared to our generation. Yet, it is a true word, and men will be held accountable for how they have responded to the Gospel.
THE APOSTLES CARRY OUT THE COMMISSION
“ 13 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”
With such an awesome commission, “the twelve” went forth, doing precisely what the Lord told them to do. Luke says, “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel” (Luke 9:6).
Their immediate, precise, and thorough obedience chronicled the very nature of the kingdom of God. Those who have really been in the presence of Jesus, have really believed Him, and have really been sent forth by Him, really do what He says! This is involved in our Lord’s telling statement, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Where these qualities are not found, we are not dealing with Christ’s “sheep.”
MEN SHOULD REPENT. This was not a strange message, for John the Baptist had come preaching this also (Matt 3:2). Jesus Himself also came preaching repentance: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). Although the record does not say that Jesus told them to preach that men “should repent,” they knew this was a proper message, for it was what Jesus preached. The “kingdom of heaven” was at hand, but those who did not repent would have no part of it or benefit from it.
Precisely what does it mean to “repent?” From the standpoint of language alone, “repent” means “to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins,” THAYER and “a change in the way one thinks, change one’s minds, and be converted.” It involves “feeling remorse, regret, and feeling sorry.” FRIBERG In repentance a person sees their condition, turns from it in sorrow and remorse, and takes hold of the truth of God. You may recall that Jesus “upbraided” certain cities “because they repented not” (Matt 11:20). Following the exaltation of Christ, the very first word delivered to inquiring souls was “Repent” (Acts 2:38). Shortly after that, Peter said to another group, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Paul reminded the Athenian philosophers that God “now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). This was a necessity when John the Baptist preached. It was a necessity when Jesus preached. It was a requirement when Jesus sent out the twelve. It was also required after Jesus ascended back into heaven. Men are to change! They are to change their way of thinking – their view of themselves, the world, the Lord Jesus, and their purpose. Sadly, the modern church does not appear to require this change – but God does, and no one will be received by Him until this is done.
THEY CAST OUT MANY DEVILS. When Jesus empowered and sent out “the twelve,” they assaulted the kingdom of darkness, casting out “many demons.” It is also written of Jesus’ early ministry, He “cast out many devils” (Mk 1:34). Now, more than a year later, the same thing is said of the initial ministry of “the twelve.” Remember, we are speaking of the land of Israel, a land that God Himself referred to as “My land” (Isa 14:25; Jer 2:7). Now, it is as though the land had nearly been overrun with demons. It was in this sense that people were said to have “sat in darkness” (Matt 4:16), for “darkness” is the only habitat in which demons can survive.
With the Law and its ceremonies in place, demons were found in abundance. With a plethora of religious leaders – high priests, priests, rulers of the synagogues, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and lawyers – Satan and his hosts were working with no apparent restraint until they confronted Jesus or those He empowered. We should be able to see the parallel in our time.
THEY ANOINTED WITH OIL MANY THAT WERE SICK. This is the first time in the New Covenant Scriptures when anyone was said to be anointed with oil. The only other reference to anointing the sick with oil is James 5:14. It is not clear if they made an association with the “anointing oil” of the tabernacle or not (Ex 30:25). It does appear, however, that God had somehow impressed this upon their spirit, and that it was a general knowledge among the faithful, as confirmed in James’ directive. It is not possible to form a hard and fast law about anointing the sick with oil, for there are only two references in the whole of Scripture that speak of it. To me, this confirms that there is a dimension of Divine direction that is purely the result of intimacy with the Savior Himself. “The twelve” knew what to do because they had been with Jesus. That is the point, whether He spoke the word, or inwardly directed them.
AND HEALED THEM. The oil, then, was not intended to be of a medicinal nature, for then there would have been no miracle to it. We also know this is the case by the report of Luke, who leaves out the matter of the oil: “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where” (Luke 9:6). This was owing to the empowerment by Jesus: “He gave them power . . . to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matt 10:1). Who but the Lord from heaven can confer such power upon men?
A COMMENT. This account accents the faith of “the twelve” when they went out. They did not experiment, but simply fulfilled the word of Jesus, even though they had never before done anything like this. This is the first record of any follower of Jesus casting out demons or healing the sick. There is no record of any failure on their part.