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NASB | Mark 6:52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 6:52 because they had not understood [the miracle of] the loaves [how it revealed the power and deity of Jesus]; but [in fact] their heart was hardened [being oblivious and indifferent to His amazing works]. |
Bible Question: Do you have a personal opinion as to why the disciples hearts were hardened. Or, do you know of any good commentaries on this verse? |
Bible Answer: Parousia, It would seem that hardness of heart is the general state of fallen man along with spititual blindness.Is 6:9; Jn 12:40; Acts 28:26; Rom 11:8. He Jesus is equating the 12 with those who oppose him like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus has already called the 12 and they have even been sent out on a mission (Mark 3:13-19). But they still do not have any real understanding of who exactly Jesus is (Mark 3:10-13) even after He has given them authority to drive out demons (Mark 3:15) and after He has feed 5,000 (Mark 6:34-44), walked on water and then feed another 4,000 (Mark8:1-10)miraculously. But they are following Jesus by faith through grace (which most of the Pharisees and Sadducees lack) and gradually Jesus unfolds the mystery to them untill finally it dawns on Peter that "you are the Messiah (Mark 8:29. The similar passage in Matt 1:16-17 indicates that this is a gift or blessing from God to Peter, not some hman knowledge for which he can claim credit. It is the mystery and blessing of God's grace. Rom 9:13-18, 30-33. It also seems obvious that only those humble enough to "ask" (and you) "shall receive" the grace and gift of faith. The Pharisees and Sadducees and anyone else who thinks they already know it all and have it all do not think they need to ask for anything. Their hearts are hardened by pride. "He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy. Happy the man who is always on his guard; but he who hardens his heart will fall into evil." Prov 2:13-14. It is interesting to note that Judas despite all the grace available to him in the presence of Jesu and his teaching, still was able to resist God's grace and harden his heart even more to the point of selling the Lord for thirty pieces of silver, whereas the other 11, especially Peter, althought they abandoned Jesus, still repented did not despair. It is almost as if God says "You want hard, I'll give you hard!" (Romans 1:26) and He gives us what we want and ask for in our hearts until we are filled to bursting. Grace to those who desire grace and the other stuff they really want to everyone else until they are sick of it, and turn back to Him, or are dead from it. Emmaus |