ESV Reformation Study Bible – Mark 6:7
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Mark 6:7

6:7 the twelve. Having already been appointed to be with Jesus (3:14 note) and receive special instruction concerning the mystery of His person and role (4:10, 11 notes), the Twelve are now permitted to share His ministry and authority.

send them out. The verb has the same root as the noun apostle, and underlines their link with Jesus as His personal representatives (3:14 note).

two by two. The biblical principle that testimony should be established by at least two witnesses (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Matt. 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28) was also applied in the missionary activity of the early church in the ministries of Peter and John (Acts 3:1; 4:1), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2), and Paul and Silas (Acts 15:40).