Mark 6:31

Again, He goes into a desert place from His humility. But Christ makes His disciples rest, that men who are set over others may learn, that they who labour in any work or in the word deserve rest, and ought not to labour continually.

Christ gives His disciples rest; this is a lesson for leaders, so that they know how to give rest to those who labor in word and teaching, and not always keep them in tension and toil.

Thus, through the weakness of their faith, instead of waiting for directions from Christ, they perplex the cause with projects of their own. It was a question, whether they had two hundred pence with them, whether the country would of a sudden afford so much bread if they had, and whether that would suffice so great a company; but thus Moses objected ( Num. xi.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

And he said unto them,....

Note, Christ takes cognizance of the frights of some, and the toils of others, of his disciples, and provides suitable relief for both, rest for those that are tired, and refuge for those that are terrified. With what kindness and compassion doth Christ say to them, Come, and rest!

A desert place - A retired place, across the sea from Capernaum, where they would be free from interruption. There were many coming and going - Coming to be healed and retiring, or coming to hear him preach. It means that they were “thronged,” or that there was a vast multitude attending his preaching.

Let us mark in this passage, the conduct of the apostles when they returned from their first mission as preachers . We read that they "gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." These words are deeply instructive. They are a bright example to all ministers of the Gospel, and to all laborers in the great work of doing good to souls. All such should daily do as the apostles did on this occasion. They should tell all their proceedings to the great Head of the Church.

Let us mark in this passage, the conduct of the apostles when they returned from their first mission as preachers . We read that they "gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." These words are deeply instructive. They are a bright example to all ministers of the Gospel, and to all laborers in the great work of doing good to souls. All such should daily do as the apostles did on this occasion. They should tell all their proceedings to the great Head of the Church. They should spread all their work before Christ, and ask of Him counsel, guidance, strength, and help. Prayer is the main secret of success in spiritual business. It moves Him who can move heaven and earth. It brings down the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, without whom the finest sermons, the clearest teaching, and the most diligent labors, are all alike in vain. It is not always those who have the most eminent gifts who are most successful laborers for God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ and are most constant in prayer. It is those who cry with the prophet Ezekiel, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live." (Ezek. 37:9.) It is those who follow most exactly the apostolic model, and "give themselves to prayer, and the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4.) Happy is that church which has a praying as well as a preaching ministry! The question we should ask about a new minister, is not merely "Can he preach well?" but "Does he pray much for his people and his work?" Let us mark, in the second place, the words of our Lord to the apostles, when they returned from their first public ministry . Jesus said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." These words are full of tender consideration.

Rest a while - Rest is necessary for those who labor; and a zealous preacher of the Gospel will as often stand in need of it as a galley slave.