Chapter Six

6:1-6 In the synagogue of Nazareth: The faith of Jairus and the hemorrhagic woman contrasts with the lack of faith of the Nazarenes. Jesus returns to his people. The people admire his wisdom but distrust him because they "already know him." They cannot believe that God manifests Himself in the humble, the known. And Jesus could not perform any miracles there and was amazed at the unbelief of his compatriots (6). As for the brothers of Jesus (3), this passage does not necessarily say that Mary had more children than him. In the Semitic language, the word "brothers" has a broader meaning; it is also used to designate the relationship between cousins and uncles.

6:7-13 Mission of the Twelve: The disciples pass to a new stage in their missionary formation. The Master sends them with power to announce the kingdom. Going two by two is a sign of equality and mutual support. So that they do not feel superior to others, they should take only what is strictly necessary. The witness of poverty, simplicity, insertion into reality, respect for culture, and attention to the people's needs should awaken solidarity that guarantees the dignified support of the missionaries. Where this solidarity is not manifested, it is necessary to shake the dust off their feet, as the Jews did when they left pagan lands. In any case, the priority of the missionaries is the proclamation of the kingdom before searching for comfort. 

6:14-29 Death of John the Baptist: The tetrarch Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, confuses Jesus with John the Baptist. Many leaders confuse Jesus with a god made to suit their interests. The description of John's martyrdom shows the cruelty to which the powerful go to silence the critical conscience of the prophets. It is also a premonitory sign of what awaits Jesus, the disciples, and all those who take seriously the option for life as the fundamental basis of the reign of God.

6:30-44 He feeds five thousand: Faced with the question of what to do with the multitude, the disciples propose to send the people away, to ignore them; on the other hand, Jesus suggests the opposite: solidarity. When one gives in a spirit of solidarity, one does not seek the submission or humiliation of the needy brother or sister but their freedom. With the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus inaugurates a new exodus with a new manna, revealing that where there is solidarity, the bread of the Word and the material bread is enough for all. His gestures and words (blessing, breaking, giving, and sharing) anticipate the Eucharistic banquet (14:22). What is left over must be put in common so that the spiral of solidarity continues to multiply. The twelve baskets symbolize the new people of God. 

6:45-52 Walk on the water: Jesus sends his disciples to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake. It is nightfall, and he withdraws to the mountain to pray. His disciples in the middle of the lake are weary from rowing because of the headwind (representing the community of disciples who believe in him and love him but do not fully understand his message). Then, at dawn, Jesus approaches them; the disciples are frightened and do not recognize him, but Jesus speaks to them, gets into the boat with them, and calm comes over them. The Lord does not abandon us; he stays by our side, and his presence calms the turbulence of our lack of faith.

6:53-56 Healing at Gennesaret: In this new summary (1:32-39; 3:7-12), the evangelist highlights the missionary itinerancy of Jesus, who seeks the people from town to town and the faith of the people who come to him to find relief from their ailments and exclusions.