“And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place — the departure by boat to a solitary place is the same pattern as the storm-crossing of chapter 4 and the Gerasene mission of chapter 5. The boat is the vehicle of transition; the solitary place is the intended destination. The disciples depart expecting rest; what they find is the crowd that has followed them on foot, and the feeding miracle that will emerge from the encounter. The retreat that Jesus intended will be interrupted by the needs of the crowd, and the interruption will become the occasion for the most significant miracle since the Exodus.
Church Fathers on Mark 6:32
For they return to the fountain-head whence the streams flow; those who are sent by God, always offer up thanks for those things which they have received.
Let us also learn, when we are sent on any mission, not to go far away, and not to overstep the bounds of the office committed, but to go often to him, who sends us, and report all that we have done and taught; for we must not only teach but act.
Not only do the Apostles tell the Lord what they themselves had done and taught, but also His own and John’s disciples together tell Him what John had suffered, during the time that they were occupied in teaching, as Matthew relates.
Read all 12 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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