This is the only time in Mark’s narrative description where the Twelve are described as ‘apostles’; both here and at the introduction of the term in Mark 3.14, it is linked with their active ministry both commissioned by and parallel to Jesus and his ministry. John 3.24 tells us that all the events thus far took place before the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Mark 1.14; and John 4.44 correlates with the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth that we read about in Mark 6.1–6. Jesus’ invitation to ‘Come away by yourselves’ to get some rest and refreshment is characteristic of the narrative: in Mark 4.34 Jesus explains the parable of the sower to the disciples; in Mark 9.2 the Three come away to witness the Transfiguration; in Mark 13.3 the disciples ask about the fall of Jerusalem.