What does Mark 6:1 mean?

Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4–7) and spent some time in Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15), Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth, which is where Jesus grew up (Luke 2:39–40). In the first story of His adult life, we meet Jesus in Judea, east of Jerusalem, at the Jordan River (Mark 1:9). Shortly after, Jesus comes to Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, and apparently makes His home base at the house of Andrew and Peter (Mark 1:29). He does many miracles of healing and demon exorcisms in Capernaum and uses the town as a setting-off point for preaching tours in Galilee (Mark 1:39; Mark 5:1–20; 6:30–34).

Here we see Jesus returning to Nazareth (Luke 4:16) in central Galilee, about twenty-five miles from Capernaum. When Mark talks about Jesus' primary disciples, he typically refers to them as "the Twelve." So, by using the term "disciples," he may mean an extended group of followers. This might include those who asked for clarification on the parable of the sower (Mark 4:10) and whom Jesus called His family (Mark 3:31–35). If these disciples are the same, they would remember Jesus' mother and brothers coming to take Jesus back home in fear for His sanity (Mark 3:21).

Nazareth itself was small. Archaeologists estimate only a few hundred people lived in the town at the time, primarily Jews. It is not even specifically mentioned in the Old Testament, although the general area is.