Mark 6:30-32
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The apostles returned to Jesus not just to report their successes, but to share everything – both what they had done and what they had taught. This shows their complete dedication to Jesus' mission, bringing their entire experience, not just the highlights, back to him for his evaluation and guidance. It's a beautiful picture of discipleship as a continuous process of learning and submission to the Master.
After being sent out in pairs to preach and heal, the disciples return to Jesus, bringing their report of all they accomplished and taught. Jesus, sensing their exhaustion from constant ministry and crowds, invites them to withdraw for a time of rest. However, their plans for solitude are thwarted when a massive crowd discovers their location and follows them.
Imagine returning from your biggest project yet. What details would you share? The apostles gave Jesus the complete picture.
When Jesus sent out the twelve, He gave them specific instructions and authority.
A Comprehensive Account
They didn't just give a quick summary. The text says they told Him "all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." This implies a thorough debriefing:
This wasn't just about reporting success; it was about submitting their entire experience to Jesus for His evaluation and further instruction. They were "students" returning to their "Master" (as suggested by the scholarly context), seeking His wisdom for what came next.
Even Jesus and His closest followers needed a break after intense ministry. What does this teach us about balancing work and rest?
Immediately after the apostles' detailed report, Jesus recognized their need for rest.
The Rhythm of Ministry
The scholarly commentary highlights that Jesus "said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile. For there were many coming and going, and they had not leisure so much as to eat." This reveals a crucial aspect of Jesus' approach:
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
Meaning 'one who is sent'; a title for those commissioned by Jesus with his authority to preach, heal, and represent the kingdom of God.
erēmos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A remote, uninhabited, or wilderness area characterized by a lack of resources or human settlement. It often serves as a setting for testing, solitude, or divine encounter in Scripture.
anapauō · Greek Verb
The act of ceasing from work or activity to refresh oneself, often carrying the spiritual connotation of trusting in God’s provision rather than one's own labors.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Jesus commissions the twelve apostles, giving them authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons, sending them out in pairs to minister throughout Galilee.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
The Apostles' Mission and Return
The apostles travel, preach, and perform miracles. They return to Jesus, likely to a location near the Sea of Galilee, to report on their successful mission.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Desire for Rest
Having heard of John the Baptist's death, Jesus seeks a quiet place with his disciples for rest and private instruction, but a large crowd follows them.
c. AD 28-30
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus, moved with compassion for the crowd, miraculously feeds over five thousand men with five loaves and two fish, demonstrating his power and care.
This passage parallels Mark 6:30, highlighting the apostles' return and their report to Jesus, emphasizing their shared experience and his reception of their ministry.
Matthew 11:1This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching in Matthew, similar to how the apostles' return in Mark 6:30 is followed by Jesus' withdrawal, showing a pattern of ministry followed by a need for rest and deeper instruction.
Acts 4:23This verse shows the early apostles reporting their actions and teachings back to their community after facing opposition, mirroring the accountability and shared reporting seen in Mark 6:30.
2 Corinthians 12:11Paul, like the apostles in Mark 6:30, recounts his ministry and 'deeds' before the church, demonstrating a pattern of reporting back to spiritual authorities and sharing the work done in God's name.
pooleMark 6:30: "And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught."
When Christ chose the twelve, it is said, Luke 3:14,15 , that he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. So that till Christ’s ascension, though they went out from him to preach and work miracles, yet they ordinarily were with him, receiv…
bengelMark 6:30: "And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught."
Mark 6:30 . Συνάγονται , gather themselves ) together.— οἱ ἀπόστολοι , the apostles ) an appropriate appellation in this place.— πάντα , all things ) The distribution of the all things follows, viz. both what—and what ( ὃσα — καὶ ὅσα ). A most noble narration.
The apostles returned to Jesus not just to report their successes, but to share everything – both what they had done and what they had taught. This shows their complete dedication to Jesus' mission, bringing their entire experience, not just the highlights, back to him for his evaluation and guidance. It's a beautiful picture of discipleship as a continuous process of learning and submission to the Master.
After being sent out in pairs to preach and heal, the disciples return to Jesus, bringing their report of all they accomplished and taught. Jesus, sensing their exhaustion from constant ministry and crowds, invites them to withdraw for a time of rest. However, their plans for solitude are thwarted when a massive crowd discovers their location and follows them.
After being sent out in pairs to preach and heal, the disciples return to Jesus, bringing their report of all they accomplished and taught. Jesus, sensing their exhaustion from constant ministry and crowds, invites them to withdraw for a time of rest. However, their plans for solitude are thwarted when a massive crowd discovers their location and follows them.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Mark 6:30-32 is available in the Sola app.
"The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And th…" — The apostles returned to Jesus not just to report their successes, but to share everything – both what they had done and what they had taught. This shows their complete dedication to Jesus' mis…
