Jesus had been training the disciples (4:34) for what lay ahead of them although they were still ignorant of what this would be. One of them would fail, as Mark's readers knew, but the others would eventually be transformed into the great apostles of the Church. Mark briefly des¬cribes the first mission of the Twelve. Jesus sent them off into the district without him, but in pairs, to preach, exorcize and heal. They were tc rely entirely on God providing for their needs and were not to waste time arguing with those who did not welcome the Good News of the Kingdom of God.