Mark 6:35

KJV

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time [is] far passed:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the day {G5610} was {G1096} now {G2235} far spent {G4183}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} unto him {G846}, and said {G3004},{G3754} This is {G2076} a desert {G2048} place {G5117}, and {G2532} now {G2235} the time {G5610} is far passed {G4183}:

Complete Jewish Bible

By this time, the hour was late. The talmidim came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's getting late.

Berean Standard Bible

By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late.

American Standard Version

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:35 captures a pivotal moment of human limitation and impending divine intervention, as the disciples confront Jesus with the practical impossibility of feeding a massive crowd in a remote, unpopulated area as the day draws to a close. Their statement, born of logistical concern, serves to highlight the overwhelming need and sets the stage for one of Jesus' most profound demonstrations of compassionate provision, revealing His power to transcend all earthly constraints.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately before the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, a narrative found in all four Gospels. Preceding [Mark 6:35](/mark/6-35 "Mark 6:35 - Disciples' Concern"), Jesus and His disciples had been engaged in intense ministry, including the sending out of the twelve (Mark 6:7-13) and their subsequent return (Mark 6:30). The tragic news of John the Baptist's execution (Mark 6:14-29) had just reached them, prompting Jesus to seek a secluded place for rest and reflection (Mark 6:31-32). However, the eager crowds, discerning their destination, followed them on foot from various towns, arriving before them. Seeing the multitude, Jesus was deeply moved with compassion, recognizing them as "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34), and began to teach them extensively. It is in this context of a vast, hungry crowd and the approaching evening that the disciples voice their practical concerns, unaware of the divine solution Jesus was about to provide.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this event was likely a desolate, uncultivated area on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, perhaps near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). Such "desert places" (Greek: _erēmos topos_) were not necessarily sandy deserts but rather uninhabited, uncultivated regions, often used for pasturing sheep, far from towns or villages where food and lodging could be readily obtained. The sheer number of people – 5,000 men, plus women and children (Matthew 14:21) – presented an immense logistical challenge in an era without modern infrastructure or mass food production. As the day progressed ("now far spent"), the urgency increased, as travel and commerce ceased after dark, and finding provisions for such a multitude would become virtually impossible. The disciples' concern was entirely reasonable from a human perspective, reflecting the harsh realities of travel and sustenance in first-century Galilee.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 6:35 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Human Limitation versus Divine Provision**. The disciples' assessment of the situation ("This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed") perfectly articulates human inadequacy in the face of overwhelming need, setting a stark contrast with Jesus' impending miraculous intervention, which demonstrates that what is impossible for humans is entirely possible with God. Secondly, it highlights the **Disciples' Practical Concern and Developing Faith**. This verse reveals their focus on immediate, tangible problems and their initial inability to grasp Jesus' supernatural capacity to meet needs beyond human means. It is a moment in their journey of faith where their understanding is being stretched and challenged. Lastly, this verse serves as a crucial **Setting for Miracle**, deliberately intensifying the urgency and apparent impossibility of the situation. The late hour and remote location magnify the divine power displayed in the subsequent feeding, making it clear that only a supernatural act could resolve such a dire predicament, thereby magnifying the glory of God (cf. [John 6:6](/john/6-6 "John 6:6 - Jesus Tests Philip")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **polýs (Greek, _polýs'_):** The word translated as "far spent" and "far passed" (G4183) signifies "much" or "many," and in this context, it adverbially indicates a significant duration or extent. Here, it emphasizes that a "great deal" of the day had passed, and the "time" was "much" gone. This repetition underscores the lateness of the hour and the urgency of the situation, highlighting that the optimal time for finding provisions had elapsed, creating a sense of growing crisis.
* **érēmos (Greek, _érēmos'_):** Translated as "desert" (G2048), this term describes a place that is "lonesome," "waste," or "solitary." It does not necessarily imply a sandy desert but rather an uncultivated, uninhabited, or desolate region, devoid of towns, markets, or resources. The disciples' observation that "This is a desert place" emphasizes the extreme isolation and the complete lack of local provisions for such a massive crowd, making their logistical challenge even more acute.
* **mathētḗs (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Referring to "disciples" (G3101), this word literally means "a learner" or "pupil." In Mark 6:35, it identifies those who came to Jesus with their concern. This highlights their role as observers and participants in Jesus' ministry, but also as individuals still learning the full scope of His power and authority. Their practical, human assessment of the situation contrasts with Jesus' divine perspective, setting up a teaching moment for them and for future generations of learners.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the day was now far spent":** This opening clause establishes the critical temporal context. The phrase "far spent" (Greek: _polys hōra_, literally "much hour" or "much time") indicates that a significant portion of the day had already passed, signifying the approach of evening. This detail immediately creates a sense of urgency and limits the options for the large crowd, as finding food and shelter would become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, after dark in a remote area.
* **"his disciples came unto him, and said":** This clause highlights the disciples' initiative and their role as intermediaries between the pressing needs of the crowd and Jesus. Their approach to Jesus signifies their reliance on Him, even if their proposed solution is based on human reasoning. The act of "saying" (Greek: _legō_) implies a direct, perhaps even urgent, communication of their assessment of the situation.
* **"This is a desert place":** This statement identifies the geographical context, emphasizing the desolate and uninhabited nature of their location. The "desert place" (Greek: _erēmos topos_) underscores the lack of resources, villages, or any means to provide sustenance for the vast multitude. It is a factual observation that highlights the severity of the logistical challenge from a human perspective.
* **"and now the time is far passed":** This reiterates and intensifies the temporal urgency. The repetition of "far passed" (Greek: _polys hōra_, again "much time") reinforces that the opportune moment for action, such as sending the crowds to buy food, has slipped away. This second temporal marker compounds the problem, making the situation seem even more dire and insoluble through conventional means.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 6:35 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten the narrative tension and underscore its theological significance. **Setting/Atmosphere** is crucial, with the "desert place" and the "far spent" day creating an atmosphere of isolation, urgency, and impending crisis. This desolate backdrop serves to magnify the miracle that follows, emphasizing that only divine intervention could resolve such a predicament. **Foreshadowing** is evident, as the disciples' practical concern and the seemingly insurmountable problem subtly hint at the extraordinary solution Jesus is about to provide. Their human assessment inadvertently sets the stage for a divine display of power. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** between the disciples' limited, human perspective (focused on logistics and scarcity) and Jesus' divine perspective (focused on compassion and abundance). This contrast serves to highlight the vast difference between human capability and divine omnipotence, preparing the reader for the miraculous provision that transcends all human limitations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:35 is more than a simple statement of logistical concern; it is a profound theological setup that underscores the recurring biblical theme of human inadequacy met by divine sufficiency. The disciples' declaration of a "desert place" and "time far passed" perfectly encapsulates the moments in life when human resources and wisdom are exhausted, and the situation appears impossible. This verse echoes the wilderness experiences of Israel, where God provided manna and water in desolate places (e.g., [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")), establishing a pattern of divine provision in the face of human need. It teaches that our limitations are often God's opportunities to display His boundless power and compassion. The disciples' practical, yet limited, assessment serves to magnify the miracle that follows, demonstrating that true provision comes not from human ingenuity but from the gracious hand of God through Christ.

* [Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food")
* [Psalm 78:19-20](/psalm/78-19-20 "Psalm 78:19-20 - God Provides in the Wilderness")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:35 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating the "desert places" of their own lives. We often find ourselves in situations where resources seem scarce, time is running out, and problems appear insurmountable, much like the disciples facing the hungry multitude. Our natural inclination, like theirs, is to assess the situation based on our limited human capabilities and available resources. We might be tempted to send people away or to despair. However, this verse powerfully reminds us to bring our seemingly impossible situations directly to Jesus. He is never surprised by our limitations or the enormity of our needs. Instead, He often uses these very circumstances as opportunities to display His boundless power and compassion, transforming our "desert places" into scenes of abundant provision. It encourages us to trust in God's ability to provide beyond our imagination, even when all human solutions have run out, and to remember that our greatest needs are often the very canvases upon which God paints His most magnificent works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "desert places" are you currently facing in your life where resources or solutions seem exhausted?**
* **How do you typically respond when you encounter seemingly insurmountable problems – do you immediately look for human solutions, or do you bring them to Jesus?**
* **In what ways might your "human assessment" of a situation be limiting your expectation of God's power?**
* **How does Jesus' compassion for the crowd in this passage encourage you to trust Him with your own needs and the needs of others?**

### FAQ
**What does "desert place" actually mean in this context?**

Answer: The term "desert place" (Greek: _erēmos topos_) does not necessarily refer to a sandy, barren desert like the Sahara. Instead, it denotes an uninhabited, uncultivated, or desolate region, often used for pasturing animals, far from towns, villages, or any sources of food and supplies. It emphasizes the remoteness and lack of resources, making the challenge of feeding thousands of people in such a location logistically impossible by conventional means. This setting highlights the extraordinary nature of the miracle that follows, as there was no natural way to provide for such a vast crowd.

**Why did the disciples state the obvious to Jesus? Didn't Jesus already know the situation?**

Answer: While Jesus, being divine, certainly knew the situation, the disciples' statement serves several purposes. Firstly, it reflects their genuine, human concern and their assessment of the practical reality. They were focused on the immediate logistical problem. Secondly, it sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His power and teach them a profound lesson about divine provision. Jesus often allowed His disciples to articulate their limitations so that His subsequent actions would more clearly demonstrate His supernatural authority and compassion. It was a moment of testing and teaching for them, as Jesus later asks Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (cf. [John 6:5-6](/john/6-5-6 "John 6:5-6 - Jesus Tests Philip")). Their "obvious" observation was precisely what Jesus needed to highlight the contrast between human inability and divine omnipotence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 6:35, with its depiction of a vast, hungry multitude in a desolate place and the disciples' declaration of human impossibility, powerfully foreshadows and illuminates the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's ultimate provision. Jesus, moved with compassion, does not dismiss the disciples' concerns but rather uses this seemingly insurmountable logistical problem to reveal His identity as the true "Bread of Life" (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Just as He miraculously multiplies a few loaves and fish to feed thousands, so too does He offer Himself as the spiritual sustenance for a spiritually hungry humanity lost in the "wilderness" of sin. This event, prompted by the disciples' observation of the "far spent" day, points to the "fullness of time" (cf. [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")) when God sent His Son to provide eternal life. Jesus' ability to meet the physical hunger of the crowd in the wilderness is a tangible sign of His greater capacity to satisfy the deepest spiritual hunger of all who come to Him, offering abundant life where there was only emptiness and desolation (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's "desert place" – the one who provides not just for a day, but for eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 9:12

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

Luke 9:17

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

John 6:5

When Jesus then lifted up [his] eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

John 6:15

¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Matthew 14:15

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Matthew 14:21

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.