Devine Scripture

Mark 6:34

What does Mark 6:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:34 means

Mark 6:34 depicts Jesus seeing the great multitude, being moved with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and teaching them many things. The imagery of sheep without a shepherd conveys spiritual vulnerability and lack of guidance; Jesus’ compassion leads him to teach extensively to meet that need. His response is pastoral and instructional rather than merely sensational. The verse shows Jesus’ priority: feeding minds and souls through teaching and care. It also connects prophetic concern for the lost with practical ministry—he provides instruction and leadership they lack elsewhere.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he got out, and saw a great mass of people, and he had pity on them, because they were like sheep without a keeper: and he gave them teaching about a number of things.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come forth, Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them, that they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach many things.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And on leaving [the ship] [Jesus] saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Context

This verse follows the crowd’s arrival (verse 33) and explains why Jesus abandoned his rest: compassion compelled him to minister. The shepherd metaphor contrasts with the earlier failure of local leadership in Nazareth and demonstrates Jesus’ care where others failed. His teaching “many things” leads into the prolonged presence of the crowd until evening, when the disciples raise the problem of food. The verse links pastoral sensitivity to the forthcoming feeding miracle.

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.

v.34This passage

v.35And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent;

Cross references

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

  • 2 Chronicles 18:16

    And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace.

  • 1 Kings 22:17

    And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace.

  • Matthew 9:36

    But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

  • Numbers 27:17

    who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

  • Matthew 15:32

    And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

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