Devine Scripture

Mark 6:32

What does Mark 6:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:32 means

Mark 6:32 says they went away in a boat to a desert place by themselves. The chosen isolation by boat underscores their intention for genuine retreat—separating from public pressure to rest and pray. Traveling by boat also reveals practical means to find solitude in Galilee. The verse shows obedience to Jesus’ command and the human need for withdrawal from ministry demands. However, the next verse warns that such plans are vulnerable to the persistent needs of people: solitude intended for rest becomes the stage for renewed public ministry when crowds pursue them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they went away in the boat to a waste place by themselves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they went away to a desert place, in the boat, by themselves.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they went away apart into a desert place by ship.

Context

This verse follows Jesus’ invitation to rest (verse 31) and describes the apostles’ obedient movement toward solitude. The reference to a “desert place” indicates a remote, quiet spot. The attempted retreat sets up the narrative tension: the crowd’s dedication in seeking Jesus out (verses 33–34) will prevent complete withdrawal, leading to the compassionate feeding episode. The boat departure is the physical transition moving the scene across the lake.

v.31And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

v.32This passage

v.33And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 6:45

    And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away.

  • Mark 3:9

    And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him:

  • John 6:5

    Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?

  • Mark 8:2

    I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:

  • Mark 4:36

    And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.

  • Matthew 14:13

    Now when Jesus heardit, he withdrew from thence in a boat, to a desert place apart: and when the multitudes heard thereof, they followed him on foot from the cities.

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