Mark 6 Sermon Prep
I am studying the feeding of the 5,000 passage for a sermon I will be preaching next month. Was looking for insights on what others might have come across in the past (commentaries, sermons etc.) as I marinade in His word as I prepare myself. Thanks
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My favorite commentary on Mark is the NIGTC series by R.T.France. Here's an excerpt on v.34:
ὡς πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα is an obvious metaphor for lack of care and leadership, and one used in the OT for Israel in the wilderness after Moses (Nu. 27:17, where the problem is solved by the appointment of Joshua), for Ahab’s army after his death in battle (1 Ki. 22:17), for the people of God when their appointed leaders have failed in their trust (Ezk. 34:5–6), and for their helplessness when their (messianic) leader is taken away (Zc. 13:7). While the metaphor in itself would suit a military context (see above), it clearly has also a wider application (cf. its use in a different context in Mt. 9:36, where it forms the basis for the disciples’ mission of teaching and healing). Here it denotes the ‘untended’ state of the ordinary people of Galilee (perhaps a reflection on the inadequacy of their current leadership; cf. 7:1–23; 12:38–40), which arouses Jesus’ compassion and to which he responds as in 4:1–2 by an extended period of teaching. The only subject of whom the verb σπλαγχνίζομαι is used in the NT is Jesus (apart from parable characters who represent Jesus or God). It is not a common verb in Mark (especially if we are right in not reading it in 1:41), but it occurs in the accounts of both feeding miracles (8:2); combined with the simile of sheep without a shepherd it presents Jesus above all as ‘the one who cares’.
The description of the crowd as
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Pam Larson said:
My favorite commentary on Mark is the NIGTC series by R.T.France.
I had that rated 5 stars, too. Also, I have the Socio-Rhetorical rated 5 stars (Ben Witherington III). On a popular level: Glen Copple's "Getting to Know Jesus" was rated 4 stars. I have added some since then (like Hermeneia) but can't rate it yet. I hear Morna Hooker's (in Black's set) is good.
One personal comment: my dad remarked how it points out in v. 45 that "Jesus dismissed the crowd." Although pure speculation, we thought that might be significant, even if briefly referred to. How did he dismiss them? Was it personal, friendly, compassionate (as he is already so described). He had already sent on the disciples. It was just him and the crowd. Maybe he could take his time. Maybe he had some personal interaction, a friendly pat on the shoulder, held a baby--who knows.
Like I said, speculation--always dangerous. And yet I can't believe he just said: "go on now, get outta here!" and waved them off . . .
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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Thanks Pam,
I heard a sermon by Tim Keller where he refered to this situation in Mark in a military context. Why would Mark break from the narrative of Jesus in ch. 6 to introduce the story of Herod? Possibly to show the leadership situation at the time and how broken it was...the crowd was in desparate need of a true leader and saw it in Jesus, yet what he gave was completely different from their expectations...they wanted a new leader for their revolution and Jesus seeing their state had compassion and gave the message of life (bread).
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Chris Silva said:
I am studying the feeding of the 5,000 passage for a sermon I will be preaching next month. Was looking for insights on what others might have come across in the past (commentaries, sermons etc.) as I marinade in His word as I prepare myself. Thanks
Both Pam and Dan offer good suggestions. I have enjoyed reading James Edwards' commentary on Mark in the Pillar Series. Here are his comments on verse 34. . .
34 Despite the fact that the crowd interrupts Jesus’ much-needed repose with the Twelve, Jesus looks upon it with “compassion.” The Greek word for “compassion,” splangnizesthai, is used in the NT only of Jesus, and here his compassion is expressed in “teaching them many things.” They were to Jesus, reports Mark, “like sheep without a shepherd.” Although this image elicits pictures of Jesus helping weak and helpless sheep (Matt 9:36), a pastoral connotation is not its primary connotation in Jewish tradition. As a metaphor, the shepherd of sheep was a common figure of speech in Israel for a leader of Israel like Moses (Isa 63:11), or more often of a Joshua-like military hero who would muster Israel’s forces for war (Num 27:17; 1 Kgs 22:17//2 Chr 18:16; Jer 10:21; Ezek 34:5; 37:24; Nah 3:18; Zech 13:7; Jdt 11:19). It is, in other words, a metaphor of hegemony, including military leadership and victory. In his compassion, Jesus sees a whole people without direction, without purpose, without a leader. Jesus utilizes the opportunity to teach the people, but as is usual in Mark, it is not the content of the teaching but the one who teaches who is the focus of interest.
Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark. The Pillar New Testament commentary (191). Grand Rapids, Mich; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.I would also look at Carson on Matthew in Expositor's Bible Commentary and Morris on Matthew in the Pillar Series. For the passage in Luke, Bock is good in the Baker Exegetical Commentary of the NT (you can also glean from his commentary in the IVP series).0 -
Chris Silva said:
Thanks Pam,
I heard a sermon by Tim Keller where he refered to this situation in Mark in a military context. Why would Mark break from the narrative of Jesus in ch. 6 to introduce the story of Herod? Possibly to show the leadership situation at the time and how broken it was...the crowd was in desparate need of a true leader and saw it in Jesus, yet what he gave was completely different from their expectations...they wanted a new leader for their revolution and Jesus seeing their state had compassion and gave the message of life (bread).
Chris, you don't need any help[:)] Thanks for putting the focus on our Lord.
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