Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 6:12

"And they went out, and preached that [men] should repent." — Mark 6:12 (ASV)

Mark now describes the actual mission of the Twelve. It was clearly patterned after Jesus’ own ministry: (1) preaching repentance, (2) driving out demons, and (3) healing the sick. By these activities they were demonstrating that the kingdom of God had come with power. At this point, their mission is a mere extension of the ministry of Jesus. Their independent mission did not occur until after Jesus’ resurrection. IV. Withdrawal From Galilee (6:14–8:30) This fourth section of Mark’s gospel finds Jesus withdrawing from the territory of Galilee for the primary purpose of further instructing his disciples. Though one incident of public teaching occurs in the section 7:1–23, the focus of his teaching was now on the Twelve.