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Mark 8

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

What does Mark 8:9 mean?

Explanation

Mark 8:9 details the conclusion of an event known as the Feeding of the Four Thousand.

In this passage, Jesus has just miraculously fed a large crowd with only seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

The emphasis of this verse is on the number of people who were fed (about four thousand) and Jesus's subsequent action of sending this crowd away.

The literal meaning of the text tells us that a large group of people had been satisfied by the food provided.

On a deeper level, the verse is often interpreted as showcasing Jesus's compassion for the crowd, his ability to provide for their physical needs, and his role as a spiritual nourisher.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of Mark is believed to have been written around AD 66-70, a time of significant political turmoil and persecution for early Christians.

This miracle account is set in a largely Gentile (non-Jewish) region, which is significant because it shows Jesus's compassion and provision extending beyond the Jewish community to all of humanity.

It is also emblematic of the early Christian community's inclusiveness.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the verse is an affirmation of Jesus’s divinity and his ability to perform miracles.

The story also serves as a symbol of Jesus not only nourishing in a physical sense but also providing spiritual sustenance.

It prefigures the Eucharist, a central ritual in Christianity symbolizing the body of Christ given for the nourishment of the believers.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Mark 8:9 asks believers to reflect on the generosity and provision of God. It encourages the faithful to trust in divine providence even in situations of scarcity.

The verse may also inspire acts of charity, kindness, and the sharing of resources with those in need.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:32-38 - Another version of the Feeding of the Four Thousand.
Mark 6:34-44 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand, a similar miracle with Jewish references.
1 Kings 17:14-16 - The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where the jar of flour and jug of oil do not run out.
John 6:35 - Jesus proclaims himself as the "bread of life" who came down from heaven to give life to the world.
Acts 2:44-45 - The early believers shared everything they had in common.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text for this verse include:

ἐσθίω (esthio): to eat, reflecting the literal consumption of food.
ὡσεὶ (hosei): about or approximately, indicating an estimate rather than an exact count.
πλεῖστοι (pleistoi): a superlative form meaning "very many" or "most." These words highlight the communal aspect of the event and the abundance of provision.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This miracle can be compared with other stories of miraculous provision in various cultures.

For example, in Hinduism, the god Krishna is said to have fed numerous people with a small offering of food.

In many ancient myths, the gods provide for their followers in miraculous ways, demonstrating compassion and power.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the literal interpretation of the feeding of thousands with just a few loaves and fishes is implausible since it defies the natural laws of conservation of matter and energy.

This miracle, therefore, demands a faith-based acceptance and is seen as a metaphor for God's ability to provide beyond natural limitations.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Mark 8:9:

Some suggest this narrative aims to reinforce the identity of Jesus to a predominantly Gentile audience.
Others focus on the Eucharistic overtones, positing that Mark uses this story to point to the significance of the Last Supper.
There are also those who interpret this miracle as a symbol of the Christian mission to feed the spiritually hungry world.

Mark 8

Mark 8

What does Mark 8:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 8:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?