Mark 6:7 · Bible study
Mark 6:7 Commentary: Two by Two, Authority and Mission
Greek · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore why Jesus sent the Twelve in pairs, the meaning of authority over unclean spirits, and what this reveals about Christian mission.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus delegates his own authority to the Twelve and sends them in pairs for support and testimony.
- Key words: προσκαλεῖται (calls to himself), ἀποστέλλειν (to send forth), ἐξουσίαν (authority), δύο δύο (two by two).
- Main debate: Whether the primary reason for pairing is practical encouragement or legal witness; most combine both.
- Theological theme: Delegated authority and partnership in the mission of the kingdom.
- Best use: A model for church planting, evangelism teams, and any ministry that relies on shared leadership.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
KJV King James Version 1769
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he calleth unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and he doth call near the twelve, and he began to send them forth two by two, and he was giving them power over the unclean spirits,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he calls the twelve to [him]; and he began to send them out two [and] two, and gave to them power over the unclean spirits;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y llamó á los doce, y comenzó á enviarlos|strong="G0649, G0846" de dos en dos: y les dió potestad sobre los espíritus inmundos.
E chamou a si os doze, e começou a enviar de dois em dois; e deu-lhes poder sobre os espíritos imundos.
Alors il appela les douze, et il commença à les envoyer deux à deux, en leur donnant pouvoir sur les esprits impurs.
Und er berief die Zwölf und hob an und sandte sie je zwei und zwei und gab ihnen Macht über die unsauberen Geister,
En Hij riep tot Zich de twaalven, en begon hen uit te zenden twee en twee, en gaf hun macht over de onreine geesten.
Poi chiamò a sé i dodici e cominciò a mandarli a due a due; e dette loro potestà sugli spiriti immondi.
Tedy zwoławszy do siebie onych dwunastu, począł je po dwóch rozsyłać, i dał im moc nad duchami nieczystymi.
И, призвав двенадцать, начал посылать их по два, и дал им власть над нечистыми духами.
耶穌叫了 十二個門徒來， 差遣 他們 兩個 兩個地出去，也 賜給 他們 權柄，制伏污 鬼；
And he gave orders to the twelve, and sent them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Mark 6:7
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jesus sent the Twelve in pairs intentionally. Barnes and Clarke both emphasize mutual support and encouragement for the journey. Vincent adds that two witnesses fulfill the requirement of testimony under Jewish law. Cambridge describes it as a tentative mission to test their powers before a wider task. Gill notes the practical benefit of companionship, unity in doctrine, and the legal weight of two witnesses. All affirm that the pairing is not incidental but integral to the mission. The authority given over unclean spirits is the same delegated power noted in Matthew 10:1, here stated without elaboration. The consensus is clear: Jesus prepared his disciples for their first apostolic journey by joining them together and equipping them with his own authority.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus personally called the Twelve, gave them authority over unclean spirits, and sent them out in pairs — a pattern that combines partnership and delegated power for the mission.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for sending two by two | All commentators affirm that Jesus sent them in pairs for mutual support and encouragement on the mission. | Barnes and Clarke emphasize practical help and happiness; Vincent and Gill also stress the legal requirement of two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). The balance between these purposes is interpreted differently. |
| Normativity of the two-by-two pattern | Christians agree that partnership in ministry is wise and biblical. | Some traditions see this as a prescriptive model for all missionary work (e.g., church planting always in pairs). Others view it as a descriptive detail for that specific first-century Galilean mission, not a binding rule. |
| Relationship to Matthew 10 | Both accounts record the same mission with similar instructions. | Mark omits the list of names, the restriction to Israel, and some miracles mentioned in Matthew. Some scholars think Mark wrote independently; others see him as an abbreviation. This affects how we interpret the authority given. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Mark 6:7 comes just after Jesus experiences rejection in Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6). He marvels at their unbelief and then goes around teaching in the villages. In that context of opposition, he calls the Twelve and sends them out. This is their first apostolic mission. They had been chosen earlier (Mark 3:14-19) and had spent time with Jesus, learning and observing. Now they are dispatched.
The phrase “two by two” is unique to Mark among the synoptic accounts (Cambridge Bible notes this). It reflects both practical wisdom and Jewish legal custom. Two people could support each other on the road, share resources, and encourage one another when facing rejection. Under the law, two witnesses established a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15); the apostles’ testimony would carry legal weight. The authority over unclean spirits directly addresses a major theme in Mark: Jesus’ power over demonic forces (Mark 1:21-28, 3:11-12, 5:1-20). By delegating this authority, Jesus extends his own ministry through the Twelve.
The mission was limited to Galilee, as Matthew 10:5 indicates (“Don’t go among the Gentiles”). The instructions that follow (verses 8-11) stress urgency and dependence on God: they take only a staff, no bread or money, relying on hospitality. This was a temporary, training mission, preparing them for the broader Gentile mission after the resurrection.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Mark 6:7. Some later manuscripts add “his disciples” after “the twelve” (Gill mentions the Syriac and Persic versions add “over unclean spirits” explicitly). These do not change the meaning of the verse.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Mark 6:7 has been read as a charter for apostolic mission. Early monastic communities sent brothers out in pairs for evangelism and ministry. During the Reformation, commentators like Calvin and the Geneva Bible focused on the authority delegated to the apostles as a pattern for preachers. In modern missiology, the two-by-two pattern is widely cited as a model for church planting teams and short-term mission trips. The verse has also been used to encourage mutual accountability among ministers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Call: “He called to himself the twelve.” Jesus takes the initiative. He does not send them before they are called to be with him.
- The Commission: “he began to send them out two by two.” The pattern of partnership is established. They are not solo agents but a team.
- The Authority: “he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” The mission is spiritual warfare, and the power is delegated, not self-generated.
Five-point outline
- The Calling: Jesus calls the Twelve to himself first. Ministry flows from relationship.
- The Pairing: Sending two by two provides support, accountability, and credible testimony.
- The Authority: They receive exousia, delegated power, over unclean spirits. This is not their own ability but Christ’s.
- The Context: This mission happens right after rejection in Nazareth. Unbelief does not stop the spread of the gospel.
- The Outcome: Verses 12-13 show they preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed. The authority worked.
Illustration hooks
- A buddy system for firefighters: no one enters a burning building alone. Two together are safer and more effective.
- A tandem bicycle: two riders share the effort, go further, and can help each other when one gets tired.
- Apprentices sent on their first solo job together, they compare notes, correct each other, and return with a fuller picture.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why two by two? Does Jesus expect every Christian to always partner in ministry, or was this just for that first mission?
- What does “authority over unclean spirits” mean for us today? How do we exercise that authority in a world that is skeptical of spiritual warfare?
- If Jesus gave them authority and it worked, why do our efforts to confront evil sometimes feel powerless?
Leading a Discussion
Jesus had just faced rejection in his hometown. Yet he does not retreat; he expands the mission by sending out the Twelve. Notice the pattern: he calls them to himself first, then sends them out with his own authority. This small group study explores how Jesus prepares his people for the work he gives them.
Discussion questions
- Read Mark 6:7-13. What stands out to you about the way Jesus sends out the disciples?
- Why do you think Jesus sent them “two by two” rather than alone? What does that say about his view of ministry?
- The authority given is over “unclean spirits.” Why is that the first type of authority mentioned? What does it suggest about the nature of the mission?
- How does the context of rejection (verses 1-6) affect the way you understand this commissioning?
- In what ways do you see the principle of partnership in ministry still important today?
- How can a Christian today experience the same “authority” over spiritual opposition? What are the limits, if any?
- What is one thing you learn from this passage about how to face opposition in your own life or church?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 4:14 | Yahweh’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he is coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. |
| Exodus 4:15 | You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. |
| Ecclesiastes 4:9 | Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. |
| Ecclesiastes 4:10 | For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. |
| Matthew 10:1 | He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. |
| Matthew 10:5 | Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. |
| Matthew 10:9 | Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. |
| Matthew 10:14 | Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
By two and two - That they might encourage and support each other; and to show that union among the ministers of the Gospel is essential to the promotion of the cause of truth. See on Luk 10:1 (note).
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs so they could support and encourage each other, lightening their burdens through mutual counsel. He observes that Jesus always considers both the happiness and the usefulness of his followers; these are never separated, for the secret of being happy is to be useful.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Mark alone records that Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, treating this as a tentative mission to test and train them. Their calling had happened in solitude, but their first work took place among the busy towns and villages of Galilee.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And he called vnto him the twelue, and began to send them forth two and two, and gaue them power ouer vncleane spirits,
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that Mark omits several details found in Matthew because he is describing a later moment: not the apostles' initial appointment, but the actual sending out on their journey. Sending them two by two provided companionship, mutual support, and credible witness to their shared message.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Mark specifically notes the apostles were sent out in pairs, a detail the other Gospels omit. His emphasis falls on the transition from learning to doing: having received from Christ, they must now give. Studying has its place, but the disciples are now called to put their knowledge to work for others.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the two purposes behind Christ sending the disciples in pairs: mutual support and encouragement, and the legal principle that two witnesses establish a full testimony.