And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

MARK 6:33KJV
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Mark 6:33 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:33 mean?

Mark 6:33 describes how people from many cities saw Jesus and his disciples leaving, recognized them, and hurried on foot to where Jesus was going, arriving ahead of him and gathering together. The verse shows the eagerness and determination of the crowds to be near Jesus, even traveling by foot to meet him.

In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus and his disciples are trying to get away to a quiet place after a busy period of ministry. However, the people notice their departure and, knowing who Jesus is, they run from all the surrounding towns to reach him before he arrives. This sets the scene for the following events, where Jesus responds to the large crowd with compassion.

The Greek behind Mark 6:33

  • ἐπέγνωσαν (epegnōsan, "knew"): This word goes beyond simple recognition; it often means to know fully or to recognize clearly. The crowd didn’t just spot Jesus—they understood who he was and what he could do.
  • προῆλθον (proēlthon, "outwent"): This word means to go ahead or arrive before. The people were so eager that they actually got to the destination before Jesus and his disciples, showing their determination.
  • συνήλθον (synēlthon, "came together"): This word emphasizes the idea of people gathering from different places into one group, highlighting the unity and shared desire of the crowd to see Jesus.

Why Mark 6:33 matters

  • Mark 6:33 highlights the growing fame of Jesus and the strong desire of ordinary people to be near him, even at personal inconvenience.
  • The verse sets up the context for the feeding of the five thousand, showing that the crowd’s need and enthusiasm prompt Jesus’ compassion and miraculous response.
  • By noting that the people “outwent” Jesus and his disciples, Mark emphasizes the lengths to which people would go to seek Jesus, revealing both the hunger for his teaching and the challenges he faced in finding rest.

Where else these words appear

“afoot” Greek G3979 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

“ran” Greek G4936 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
  • 1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

“outwent” Greek G4281 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
  • Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
  • Acts 20:5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

“together” Greek G4905 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
  • Acts 21:22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.