And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

MARK 6:55KJV
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Mark 6:55 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:55 mean?

Mark 6:55 describes how people from the surrounding area hurried through the region, bringing sick individuals on beds to wherever they heard Jesus was present. The verse shows the urgent response of the crowds, who believed that simply being near Jesus could bring healing.

In this scene, Mark is narrating what happened after Jesus and his disciples landed their boat. News of Jesus’ arrival spread quickly, and people acted immediately, carrying their sick loved ones—sometimes on makeshift beds—to meet him. The verse highlights the people's desperation and hope, as well as the growing reputation of Jesus as a healer.

The Greek behind Mark 6:55

  • "περιήλθον" (periēlthon, "ran through/about"): This word means to go around or travel throughout, emphasizing the thoroughness and urgency with which people searched for Jesus.
  • "κράβαττοις" (krabattois, "beds"): This term refers to simple mats or pallets, showing that many of the sick were too weak to walk and had to be carried.
  • "ἀσθενοῦντας" (asthenountas, "sick"): This word often means those who are weak or without strength, underlining the severity of their conditions and their need for help.
  • "ἤκουον" (ēkouon, "heard"): The verb is in the imperfect tense, suggesting that the people kept on hearing reports about Jesus’ location and acted on this information repeatedly.

Why Mark 6:55 matters

  • Mark 6:55 clears up any impression that only a few people sought Jesus; instead, it shows a widespread, almost frantic effort to reach him, revealing the scale of his impact.
  • The verse emphasizes the faith and hope people placed in Jesus’ presence, not just his words or teachings, but in physically being near him.
  • Mark 6:55 connects to the surrounding verses by setting up the context for the many healings that follow, showing how Jesus’ compassion met the urgent needs of the crowds.

Where else these words appear

“about” Greek G4064 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
  • Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
  • Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

“about” Greek G4066 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
  • Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
  • Luke 7:17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

“beds” Greek G2895 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
  • Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
  • John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

“sick” Greek G2560 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
  • Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.