And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

MARK 6:7KJV
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Mark 6:7 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:7 mean?

Mark 6:7 describes Jesus sending his twelve close followers out in pairs to carry on his work among the people. He gives them power over unclean spirits, so their task includes dealing with the harmful spirits people encounter.

The verse marks a change from the Twelve following Jesus to going out at his direction. After Jesus has been teaching in the nearby villages, he calls them together before sending them. Going in pairs means each person has a companion on the journey.

The Greek behind Mark 6:7

  • “send … forth” — ἀποστέλλω (apostellō): This word carries the sense of sending someone out for a purpose. In this verse, Jesus is the one who commissions the Twelve for their journey.
  • “power” — ἐξουσία (exousia): This word can mean authority or the right to act. Here, the power over unclean spirits is something Jesus gives the Twelve as he sends them.
  • “unclean” — ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos): This word means unclean or impure. Applied to spirits, it describes them as impure beings, not as a physical substance that needs washing.

Why Mark 6:7 matters

  • The Twelve’s work includes both speaking and action. In verse 12 they tell people to turn from wrongdoing, and in verse 13 they drive out many evil spirits and heal sick people.
  • The pairings are part of a journey with specific instructions. Jesus goes on to tell them what to take and how to respond when a place welcomes or rejects them (Mark 6:8–11).
  • Their assignment is connected to Jesus’ own activity. Earlier in Mark, Jesus teaches and drives out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21–27); now he gives the Twelve power to act against such spirits.

Where else these words appear

“unclean” Greek G169 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea,(they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
  • 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.

“called” Greek G4341 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“twelve” Greek G1427 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“began” Greek G756 · used in 84 verses

  • Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Mark 10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
  • Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,