Mark 6:7

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Mark 6:7 (KJV)

Context

Mark 6:7 is part of the narrative where Jesus commissions His twelve disciples to go out and proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. Prior to this verse, Jesus had been teaching and performing miracles, and now He chooses to send out His disciples for a specific purpose.

Jesus called the twelve disciples to Himself. These twelve men were specifically chosen by Jesus to be His apostles, and they had been following Him, learning from Him, and witnessing His works. This calling highlights the importance of the disciples’ role in spreading the message of the kingdom.

Jesus not only called the disciples but also sent them out on a mission. He did not keep them with Him, but entrusted them with the task of representing Him and proclaiming the message. The phrase “began to send them forth” indicates the initiation of a mission that would extend beyond Jesus’ own earthly ministry. This act of sending them out emphasizes the active nature of their ministry and the urgency of their mission.

Meaning

Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs. Having two people together provided mutual support, encouragement, and accountability. They could rely on each other for companionship and help in their mission. Pairing up allowed the disciples to learn from one another and share their experiences as they traveled and ministered together.

Jesus gave the disciples power and authority to cast out unclean spirits. This highlights the supernatural aspect of their ministry. The ability to confront and conquer evil spirits demonstrated their connection to Jesus and His authority over the spiritual realm. This power was not inherent in the disciples but was delegated by Christ, and it was a sign of their commissioning. The authority given is specifically over unclean spirits, demonstrating that it is spiritual in nature and directly confronts the kingdom of darkness.

Biblical connections

This commissioning foreshadows the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the empowerment of the early church (Acts 1:8), where the disciples receive the Holy Spirit for witness. The authority over unclean spirits points to the ongoing spiritual battle that believers are called to engage in, not through human strength but through the power of Christ.

Application

Mark 6:7 illustrates Jesus’ intention to extend His ministry beyond Himself by commissioning and sending out the twelve disciples. It emphasizes the importance of their role as representatives of Jesus, their need to work together in pairs, and the authority they were given to confront and overcome spiritual opposition. True spiritual authority comes from Christ alone and is given for the advancement of His kingdom, not for personal exaltation. The power given is not for personal gain but for the liberation of those oppressed by evil, demonstrating God’s compassion and desire for wholeness.

Reflection

This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of the disciples’ mission and the power they possessed through Jesus’ commissioning. Christ calls, equips, and sends His followers into the world with spiritual authority to confront evil, always in the context of community and dependence on Him.