Mark 6:6b-8:30
CENTRAL IDEA: As the Lord increases our responsibilities in the ministry, the gospel calls us to focus on Jesus’ instruction to discover and fully understand His identity.

• The mission of the twelve (Mark 6:6B-30)
  • The sending of the twelve vv.6b-13; (cf. Matt. 9:35-11:1; Lk 9:1-6)
  • The death of a conscience (vv.14-29)
  • The return of the twelve (v.30)
• The first cycle of Jesus' self-revelation to the disciples (Mark 6:31-7:37)
  • The feeding of the 5,000 (6:31-44; cf. Matt. 14:13-21; Lk. 9:11-17; Jn. 6:1-3)
  • The walking on the water and the return of Jesus to the Galilee (6:45-56; cf. Matt 14:22-36; Jn.6:14-21)
  • The controversy with the pharisees and scribes over defilement (7:1-23; cf. Matt. 15:1-20)
  • The teaching about bread and the exorcism of a Phoenician girl (7:24-30; cf. Matt 15:21-28)
  • The healing of a deaf man (7:31-36)
  • The preliminary confession of faith (7:37)
    

    Parallel Structure
    6:31-34	Feeding of the multitude	8:1-9
    6:45-56	Crossing of the sea and landing	8:10
    7:1-23	Conflict with the Pharisees	8:11-13
    7:24-30	Conversation about bread
    8:14-21
    7:31-36	Healing	8:22-26
    7:37	Confession of faith	8:27-30

• The second cycle of Jesus' self-revelation to the disciples (Mark 8:1-30)
  • The feeding of the 4,000 (8:1-9; cf. Matt. 15:32-38)
  • The return of Jesus to Galilee (8:10; cf. Matt 15:39)
  • The conflict with the pharisees over signs (8:11-13; cf. Matt. 16:1-4)
  • The teaching about the yeast of the pharisees and Herod (8:14-21; cf. Matt 16:5-21)
  • The healing of the blind man (8:22-26)
  • The confession of Peter's faith (8:27-30; cf. Matt. 16:13-20; Lk. 9:18-21)