Mark 6:34
What is written? (ESV)
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
What does it say?
When He [Jesus] went ashore, He had compassion on them because they wandered like a sheep without a shepherd, so He began to teach them many things.
What is its immediate context?
Jesus withdraws to be alone, no doubt to mourn the loss of His cousin, John the Baptist (vss 14-29), but His reputation and popularity have grown and the crowds seek Him out (vs 33). He proceeds to feed the 5,000 (vs 44 – counting men only) with five loaves and two fish (vs 38). This miracle is repeated in all four gospels including Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15.
How Mark 6:34 is applied across Bible answers
Why did Jesus perform miracles?
Mark records the same as Matthew,1 but qualifies that the reason for Jesus' compassion is "because they were like sheep without a shepherd." Furthermore, we know this was a spiritual concern since Jesus "began to teach them."
