3. The return of the Twelve 6:30 (cf. Luke 9:10)

This verse marks the conclusion of the apostolic mission of the Twelve that the writer introduced in verses 7-13. With that phase of Jesus' training of the Twelve completed, He moved on to the next stage.

This is the only time Mark called the Twelve apostles (Gr. apostoloi, lit. sent ones).¹⁶⁰The 12 apostles now returned to the One who had sent them out. They reported to Him regarding what had transpired. Mark used "apostles"in the general sense of missionaries (cf. Acts 14:14; et al.) rather than as a technical title (cf. Eph. 2:20; et al.). These men, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, later became the official apostles. They evidently presented their report to Jesus somewhere in Galilee, possibly near Capernaum.