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Mark 6:30

ESV The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.
NIV The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.
NASB The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
CSB The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught.
NLT The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught.
KJV And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

What does Mark 6:30 mean?

The Twelve have just returned from their first missions trip without Jesus. They traveled throughout Galilee, teaching people to repent of their sins, healing the sick, and casting out demons (Mark 6:12–13). Although they are eager to tell Jesus what has happened, their specific stories are not recorded in Scripture.

This is the only time Mark calls the Twelve "apostles." The title comes from the Greek root word apostolos, which refers to a messenger specifically sent out by an authority. In the Bible, the term "apostle" is used in two ways. Jesus directly chose who was to receive the office of apostleship: the twelve disciples of Jesus, including Judas' replacement, Matthias (Acts 1:15–26), and Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8–9). Barnabas (Acts 4:36; 14:14) and others (Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Galatians 1:19; Philippians 2:25) also received the spiritual gift of apostleship. These men were not sent out by Jesus, but by the Twelve, Paul, and the elders.

The office of apostle has strict qualifications. The person must have witnessed Jesus after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1), he must have been hand-selected by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15), and he must have the authority to perform miracles (Acts 2:43). Although we send missionaries out today, the authority of the office of apostle is over. Modern-day "apostles" who claim to have a new revelation from the Holy Spirit, or special authority from God, are false teachers (2 Corinthians 11:12–15).
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