I found three other smaller chiastic structures in Mar 6 besides this large one, and there are others also:
Mar 5:21-6:56
1a) Mar 5:21-34, Jesus healed two women:
1) Mar 5:21, Jesus crossed over by boat + great multitude gathered to Him;
2) Mar 5:22-24, The ruler of the synagogue begged Him to come heal his daughter;
3) Mar 5:25-34, The woman with the incurable flow of blood touched Him and was made well;
1b) Mar 5:35-40, He came to the ruler’s house + they ridiculed Him;
1c) Mar 5:41-42, He raised the girl up + they were overcome with great amazement;
1d) Mar 5:43a, He commanded them that no one should know it;
1e) Mar 5:43b, And that something should be given her to eat;
1f) Mar 6:1-2a, His disciples followed Him + Sabbath + He taught in the synagogue;
1g) Mar 6:2b-6, The Nazarites were offended at Jesus;
central axis) Mar 6:7-13, Jesus sent out His disciples two by two, to preach, cast out demons, and heal the sick;
2g) Mar 6:14-29, Herodias was offended at John the Baptist;
2f) Mar 6:30-34, His disciples followed Him + to rest + He taught the multitude many things;
2e) Mar 6:35-44, He commanded His disciples to give them something to eat;
2d) Mar 6:45-51a, He departed to a mountain to pray + He came to them walking on the water;
2c) Mar 6:51b, They were greatly amazed beyond measure, and marveled;
2b) Mar 6:52, They had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened;
2a) Mar 6:53-56, Jesus healed the multitudes:
1) Mar 6:53-55, When they had crossed over + great multitude gathered to Him;
2) Mar 6:56a, Wherever He entered, the sick begged Him that they might touch the hem of His garment;
3) Mar 6:56b, As many as touched Him were made well.
The central axis is Jesus equipping and sending out the disciples to do just as He had been doing: preach the gospel of the kingdom (“Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand;”), cast out demons, and heal the sick. In other words, multiplication. Instead of just one Jesus going about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, there was now one Jesus and six teams of disciples.
And then He took five loaves and two fish, and multiplied the food, so that it was enough to feed five thousand men besides women and children, with twelve baskets (one for each disciple) left over.
What are we followers of Messiah doing here on this earth, seeing that we will inherit eternal life? Why are we still here, living this life of tribulation and suffering in the world? Multiplication. One Jesus fed (healed) two women, but one Jesus with six teams of disciples fed five thousand men. Well there are a lot more than five thousand in the world who need preaching, and feeding, and healing; but that is what we are here for. We are supposed to be going about doing good, and healing all who are oppressed of the devil. This is not a job for the paid church professionals. Jesus didn’t call a single Pharisee or scribe to be one of the twelve, but uneducated fishermen, tax collectors, and the like.
What would happen if each one us, when we were in our prayers in the morning, said, “Jesus, if there is someone who needs good done to them today, send me across their path. Teach me to do the work I see my Master doing.” The Father is looking for laborers to send into the harvest field!
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