6:6a
And He was amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as amazed is similar in meaning to the word translated as “astonished” in 6:2c. But it is a different Greek word.
Jesus had done many miracles elsewhere in Galilee. So he might have expected the people in his hometown to believe in him. He was surprised when they did not believe in him.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
He was greatly surprised (Good News Bible)
-or-
and he was astonished (Revised English Bible)
at their unbelief: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at their unbelief means “because they did not believe.” The people’s lack of faith caused Jesus to be amazed. That is, it was the reason for his amazement.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
He was amazed because they had no faith.
-or-
He was surprised that they had no faith.
unbelief: The word unbelief is an abstract noun. Some versions translate the phrase unbelief as “lack of faith.” The word “faith” is also an abstract noun. In some languages, it will be more natural to translate unbelief or “lack of faith” as a verbal phrase. For example:
they did not believe in him
Section 6:6b–13
Jesus sent the twelve apostles to different towns to preach and heal people
In this section Mark wrote that Jesus began to go around to various Jewish villages in order to teach the people. He also sent out his twelve apostles two by two into the villages. Jesus gave the apostles authority over evil spirits, and he gave them instructions for their journey. The apostles went out and preached that people should repent. They cast out demons and healed sick people.
The New International Version starts a new section and paragraph at 6:6b. Some translations, such as the New American Standard Bible and Berean Standard Bible, start the new section at 6:7. If you decide to do this, you should still make 6:6b a separate paragraph.
Here is another possible heading for this section:
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (New International Version)
There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 9:35; 10:5–15; Luke 8:1; 9:1–6.
Paragraph 6:6b–11
6:6b
And: A new part of the story begins in 6:6b. To show this, the Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions use the word And here. The New International Version and other English versions use the word “Then.” You should begin this section and paragraph in a way that is natural in your language. In some languages, no time word or phrase is necessary.
He went around from village to village: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went around from village to village is literally “went around the villages in a circle.” This describes the route/way that Jesus went after he left Nazareth. He went from one village to another throughout the area surrounding Nazareth.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
Jesus went out to all the surrounding villages
-or-
Then Jesus went around to the villages (God’s Word)
Use a phrase or expression that is most natural in your language to describe this kind of travel.
teaching the people: The purpose for which Jesus went from one village to another was to teach. The Greek grammar shows that his teaching was a continuous or ongoing activity.
The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as teaching the people is literally “teaching.” In some language, it may be necessary to say what he taught and whom he taught. For example, the Berean Standard Bible has added the phrase the people to indicate who Jesus was teaching. Here are some other examples:
teaching God’s message
-or-
teaching the Scriptures to the people
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