This week's readings are all from Mark chapter 6. Click here to see the full reading and a list of each day's readings. Each day's segments of the readings will be posted on this site during the week.
Today's Reading:
Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff —no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them.
Now King Herod heard this, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised!” (Mark 6.7–16 NET)
The previous translation is from the NET Bible translation. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Resources for the Reading
They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with ˻olive˼ oil and healed them.
Mark 6:13
Though the Greek does not specifically say the oil was from olives (it simply says 'oil'), it is likely that this was the case and translators add 'olive' for this reason. Olive oil was recognized as having both general health benefits and perhaps spiritual effectiveness regarding demons which caused illness. Philo, a Jewish philosopher living in Alexandria, Egypt during the first century CE, wrote:
Again: why need we seek for more in the way of ointment than the juice pressed out of the fruit of the olive? For that [oil] softens the limbs, and relieves the labour of the body, and produces a good condition of the flesh; and if anything has got relaxed or flabby, it binds it again, and makes it firm and solid, and it fills us with vigour and strength of muscle, no less than any other unguent. (Dreams 2.58–59 PHILO-E)
The Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphal text that may date from the first centuries CE. It tells fanciful stories of how Solomon was given power over demonic forces. Though pseudepigraphal, it may give insight into understanding how demonic forces and exorcisms were understood during this period. In one segment, Solomon confronts thirty-six elemental demonic powers ruling upon the upon the earth:
...And I commanded another demon to appear to me. And there came to me thirty-six elements. Their heads (were) as formless dogs. Among them were human forms, bull forms, beast forms, dragon forms, sphinx forms, bird forms. And having seen these things, I Solomon asked him, saying: “And who are you?” They together with one voice said: “We are the thirty-six elements, the world rulers of this age of darkness. (Sol_a 18.1–2 PSEUD-E)
Solomon challenges each of them, asking them to identify themselves. The thirtieth one responds:
“I am called Rhyx Physikoreth. I make long illnesses. If someone will cast salt into olive oil and smear the sick (person), saying, ‘Cherubim, Seraphim, help!’ immediately I depart.” (Sol_a 18.34 PSEUD-E)
In the New Testament, the book of James says concerning those who are ill:
Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up—and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5.14–15 NET)
@jimmy What does pseudepigraphal mean?
And I guess I need to make some focaccia bread! Thank you for the extra insight on their “perspective of olive oil.” I didn’t realize it would make a difference, but it does bring some detail and life to the story… It wasn’t just some religious ritual for ritual’s sake — there was a genuine understanding of direct healing/improvement from the use of oil.
Doyle What does pseudepigraphal mean?
It means a text written or attributed to an author who did not actually write it. There are many such texts that were used in early Judaism and early Christianity. Probably the most well known is the Book of Enoch (which is quoted in the New Testament in Jude and 2 Peter) and other material attributed to Enoch, which is quoted in the New Testament. The Wisdom of Solomon claims to have been written or dictated by Solomon. Though these texts were not written by the authors to whom they are attributed, they give a lot of insight into the world in which the New Testament was written.
Jimmy, should I get the “extra virgin olive oil”? 🤓.
Another note, Herod was influenced by John the Baptist. When Jesus came He believed that John had been “raised”, leading me to question if resurrections were a part of their belief? No one seemed shocked by Herods assumption. (I wonder what Herods thoughts were when Jesus rose up!)
Jimmy, should I get the “extra virgin olive oil”?
Maybe that would help. 😉
When Jesus came He believed that John had been “raised”, leading me to question if resurrections were a part of their belief? No one seemed shocked by Herods assumption.
Great question. There were a lot of different views about the idea of resurrection in the first century. That all three of the synoptics recount this story without any sense of that being shocking seems to indicate that a belief that someone could be brought back to life was a concept. Generally, Jews who believed in a coming resurrection believed that it would be for all people, or at least for the righteous, at the end of this age. However, the view that seems to be held here (and worried about) by Herod Antipas is a singular resurrection, which would of course later be the case with Jesus.