“Come aside by yourselves…”

Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. —Mark 6:31

When Jesus asked His disciples to go to a deserted place and rest (Mark 6:31), He was telling them to do something that He had often done with them. 

Jesus had withdrawn with His disciples to the sea (Mark 2:13; 3:7) or up on the mountain (3:13).

Jesus was also in the habit of withdrawing from the crowds to a solitary place to rest and to spend time talking with His Father (Matt. 14:13,23; 26:36; Mark1:35; 6:46; Luke 4:42; 6:12; John 6:15).

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16).