After bidding them farewellThis phrase indicates a moment of transition and separation. Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000, a significant event that demonstrated His compassion and divine provision. The act of bidding farewell shows Jesus' intentionality in His actions, as He often withdrew from the crowds and even His disciples to seek solitude and communion with the Father. This separation underscores the importance of personal time with God, even amidst ministry demands.
He went up on the mountain
Mountains in biblical times were often seen as places of revelation and divine encounter. They symbolize a place set apart for meeting with God, as seen in the experiences of Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Carmel. The geographical setting of a mountain also provided a physical separation from the distractions below, allowing for focused prayer and reflection. This act of ascending a mountain can be seen as a type of Jesus' future ascension into heaven, where He continues to intercede for believers.
to pray
Prayer was central to Jesus' life and ministry, serving as a model for His followers. This moment of prayer highlights Jesus' dependence on the Father and His commitment to seeking God's will. It reflects the intimate relationship within the Trinity and the necessity of prayer in sustaining spiritual strength and guidance. This act of prayer also connects to other instances in the Gospels where Jesus prays before significant events, such as choosing the twelve apostles or before His crucifixion, emphasizing the importance of prayer in preparation for pivotal moments in life and ministry.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is depicted as taking time away from the crowds and His disciples to engage in prayer.
2.
The DisciplesAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the ones Jesus bids farewell to before He goes to pray.
3.
The MountainA place of solitude and elevation, often used in Scripture as a setting for significant spiritual encounters and revelations.
4.
PrayerThe act of communication with God, which Jesus prioritizes even amidst His busy ministry.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Solitude in PrayerJesus models the necessity of withdrawing from daily activities to focus on prayer. In our busy lives, setting aside time for solitude with God is crucial for spiritual growth and renewal.
Prioritizing Prayer in MinistryDespite His demanding schedule, Jesus prioritizes prayer. This teaches us that no matter how busy we are, prayer should remain a central part of our lives and ministries.
Mountains as Places of EncounterThe mountain symbolizes a place of meeting with God. We should seek our own "mountains" or quiet places where we can encounter God more deeply.
Bidding Farewell to DistractionsJesus bids farewell to His disciples, indicating the need to sometimes step away from even good things to focus on God. We must learn to say no to distractions to say yes to God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 6:46?
2.Why did Jesus choose to pray alone in Mark 6:46?
3.How can we prioritize solitary prayer like Jesus in Mark 6:46?
4.What Old Testament examples show the importance of solitary prayer?
5.How does Mark 6:46 inspire personal prayer habits today?
6.How does Jesus' prayer life in Mark 6:46 guide our spiritual discipline?
7.Why did Jesus choose solitude for prayer in Mark 6:46?
8.How does Mark 6:46 emphasize the importance of prayer in Jesus' ministry?
9.What does Mark 6:46 reveal about Jesus' relationship with God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 6?
11.What is Hesychasm?
12.What did Jesus pray for during His ministry?
13.How does solitude strengthen your relationship with God?
14.What defines the Church of Christ?What Does Mark 6:46 Mean
After bidding them farewellJesus personally dismissed both the disciples and the crowds (Mark 6:45;Matthew 14:22-23).
• He cared enough to stay until every need was met, then deliberately created space to be alone with the Father.
•John 6:15 notes that His departure also protected the people from misguided political zeal—“He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.”
• By letting go of immediate ministry opportunities, He modeledPsalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” trusting the Father to carry on the work.
He went upThe verb underscores intentional movement. He didn’t stumble into prayer; He sought it.
•Mark 1:35 shows the same pattern: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up… and there He prayed.”
• Each upward step reminds us that communion with God is worth effort and planning (James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”).
• The physical ascent mirrors a spiritual priority—elevating fellowship with the Father above every pressing task.
On the mountainMountains in Scripture often signify revelation and divine encounter.
•Exodus 19:3—Moses met God on Sinai.
•1 Kings 19:8-13—Elijah heard God’s still, small voice on Horeb.
•Luke 6:12—“Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.”
Solitude combats distraction, sharpening our focus on God’s voice (Psalm 121:1-2).
To prayPrayer was the purpose, not merely a pause.
•Luke 5:16—“Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.”
•Hebrews 5:7 records His “prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears.”
• In prayer He communed, depended, and interceded (John 17:1-26).
•Hebrews 7:25 affirms He still “lives to intercede” for us, inviting us to follow His example (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
summaryEvery phrase ofMark 6:46 highlights Jesus’ deliberate rhythm: disengage from people, ascend to a quiet place, and devote Himself to prayer. He shows that effective ministry flows from private communion with the Father. Followers who value His pattern will find strength, direction, and renewed compassion for the work God sets before them.
(46-52)
And when he had sent them away.--See Notes on
Matthew 14:22-33.
Verses 46, 47. - St. Mark is careful, like St. Matthew, to tell us that when the even was come he was alone on the land. Both the evangelists desire to call attention to the fact that, when night came on, the disciples were alone in their boat and Jesus alone on the land. It was nightfall; and St. John informs us that "the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew." Then it was that the Lord left his place of prayer on the mountain, and walked upon the sea, that he might succor his disciples now distressed by the storm. It would appear that our Lord had been obliged to use a little pressure to induce his disciples to leave him: "He constrained them (
ἠνάγκασε τοὺς μαθητὰς αὑτοῦ)
Verse 46- And when he had sent them away (
ἀποταξάμενος) - more literally, had taken leave of them, that is, the multitude - he departed into a mountain (
εἰς τὸ ὄρος);
literally, into the mountain; that is, the high table-land at the foot of which the multitude had been fed. Towards the north-east of the Sea of Galilee the land rises rapidly from the shore. To pray (
προσεύξασθαι). This is a very full word, implying the outpouring of the heart to God. Our Lord did this that he might teach us in our prayers to shun the crowd, and to pray in silence and in secret, with collected mind. There is here, too, a special example for the clergy, namely, this: that when they have preached they should go apart and pray that God would make effectual that which they have delivered; that he would himself give the increase where they have planted and watered, and renew their spiritual strength, that they may return again to their labour refreshed by communion with him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
After bidding them farewell,ἀποταξάμενος(apotaxamenos)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 657:To withdraw from, take leave of, renounce, send away.He wentἀπῆλθεν(apēlthen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565:From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.up onεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.mountainὄρος(oros)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3735:A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain).to pray.προσεύξασθαι(proseuxasthai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 4336:To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.
Links
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NT Gospels: Mark 6:46 After he had taken leave of them (Mar Mk Mr) 
