Articles
People Were Amazed - Mark 6
People Were Amazed - Mark 6
The demon possessed man of Mark 5, having had the demons cast out, “went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:20).
When questioned concerning the propriety of paying tax to Caesar, “Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him” (Mark 12:17).
When Jesus refused to answer Pilate about the accusations being made against Him, “Pilate was amazed” (Mark 15:5).
Upon hearing that Jesus had so quickly died upon the cross, “Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead” (Mark 15:44).
The Greek word here has been translated ‘marvel’, ‘wonder’, ‘admire’, and ‘amazed’. The teaching and miracles of Jesus left the people wondering, marveling, admiring, and amazed at Him. YET, such is NOT nor, does it necessarily result in, TRUSTING HIM.
When the people of Nazareth listened to him teach in their synagogue, they were astonished. They not only acknowledged the greatness of his teaching, but the ‘miracles performed by His hands” Then, their prejudices and doubts took over! Is this not the carpenter? Is he not the son of Mary? Do we not know his brothers and sisters? At this, their astonishment turned to ‘offense’, they were offended. (Mark 6:2-3)
At this point, Jesus “’wondered’ (was amazed) at their unbelief’ (Mark 6:6). What he had done and taught was sufficient to produce trust. They were able to understand, be convinced, and put their trust in Him as the Christ. Yet, they DID NOT. As John wrote: “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him” (John 12:37). AMAZING!
We are in a different situation. We have not SEEN the actual miracles, but we have a record of many. Most of the people in the first century did NOT see many of such miracles. We thus have enough evidence that there will be no excuse for OUR unbelief. Do you stand amazed at the power and authority of Jesus? Or will He stand amazed at your unbelief?
Hugh DeLong
