Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 6

By two and two. In order that they might support and encourage each other in their work. Amidst the trials and opposition which they would meet with, mutual counsel and aid would greatly lighten their burdens, and alleviate their calamities. Mutual counsel might also contribute to their success, and lead to united plans to advance the kingdom of the Redeemer. Jesus here, as in all the work of religion, consulted at the same time the happiness and usefulness of his disciples. Nor are they ever separated. Whatever contributes to the usefulness of the people, produces also their happiness; or, in other words, the secret of being happy, is to be useful.

In Matthew 10:5, they were commanded not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans. Mark omits that direction, perhaps, because he was writing for the Gentiles, and the direction might create unnecessary difficulty or offense. Perhaps he omits it also because the command was given for a temporary purpose, and was not in force at the time of his writing.

Preached that men should repent. See the nature of repentance explained in Matthew 3:2. They were now called upon to repent, and reform their lives, because sin was evil; because the Messiah had come to preach forgiveness to the penitent; and because at his presence it was fitting that the nation should turn from its sins, and prepare to receive him.

Cast out many devils. See Barnes on Matthew 4:24.

And anointed with oil, etc. Anointing with oil was in common use among the Jews in cases of sickness. It was supposed to have a mild, soothing, and alleviating effect on the body.

In James 5:14, the elders of the church, in connection with prayers, were directed also to anoint the sick with oil. It was also used in wounds. The good Samaritan poured in oil and wine into the wounds of the waylaid Jew, Luke 10:34. Josephus says that in the last sickness of Herod, his physicians commanded him to be anointed with oil.

It need not be supposed, however, that the apostles used oil for mere medical purposes. It was used, probably, like the imposition of hands, or like our Savior's anointing the eyes of the blind with clay, merely as a sign, in expectation of imparting that aid and comfort from God which was sought, and which was represented by the natural, soothing, and gentle effect of oil.

He did many things. But he did not do the thing that was demanded of him—to break off from his sins. He attempted to make a compromise with his conscience. He still loved his sins and did other things that he supposed might be accepted, instead of putting away, as he should have, the wife of his brother—the polluted and adulterous woman with whom he lived.

Perhaps he treated John kindly, spoke well of him, or helped him with his needs, and in this way attempted to silence his rebukes and destroy his faithfulness. This was probably before John was imprisoned.

So sinners often treat ministers kindly, do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, even while they are still unwilling to do the thing that is demanded of them: to repent and believe the gospel. They expect that their kind attentions will be accepted instead of what God demands—repentance and forsaking their sins.