Mark 8:3

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 {G2532} if {G1437} I send {G630} them {G846} away {G630} fasting {G3523} to {G1519} their own {G846} houses {G3624}, they will faint {G1590} by {G1722} the way {G3598}: for {G1063} divers {G5100} of them {G846} came {G2240} from far {G3113}.

If I send them off to their homes hungry, they will collapse on the way; some of them have come a long distance."

If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”

and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far.

Commentary

Context

Mark 8:3 is part of the narrative detailing Jesus' second miraculous feeding of a large multitude, often referred to as the feeding of the four thousand. This event follows Jesus' journey through the Decapolis region, and immediately after He expresses deep compassion for the crowd who had been with Him for three days and had nothing to eat (Mark 8:2). The verse highlights Jesus' practical concern for their physical well-being, noting that many had traveled a significant distance and would be unable to make it home without sustenance. This compassionate act mirrors, yet is distinct from, the earlier feeding of the five thousand found in Mark 6:34-44, demonstrating Jesus' consistent care for the needs of His followers.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Practical Compassion: The verse underscores Jesus' profound empathy, extending beyond spiritual teaching to genuine concern for the physical needs of the people. He recognized their hunger and potential for weakness.
  • Human Frailty and Need: It acknowledges the basic human need for sustenance and the physical limitations of the body. Traveling "from far" meant they were already exhausted and vulnerable to fainting.
  • Divine Foresight and Provision: Jesus' statement here sets the stage for the miraculous provision that follows. He anticipates their need before they even express it, showcasing His divine foresight and ability to provide abundantly.
  • Responsibility for Welfare: The passage implies a responsibility, particularly for leaders, to consider the practical welfare of those under their care. Jesus, as the ultimate shepherd, exemplifies this.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "faint by the way" comes from the Greek word ekluō (ἐκλύω), which means to loosen, grow weary, or faint. It conveys a strong sense of physical exhaustion and collapse. The KJV's "divers of them came from far" emphasizes that not just a few, but a significant number (various ones) had undertaken a long journey, intensifying their physical predicament and making their need for food even more urgent. This detail highlights the extent of their devotion in following Jesus and the depth of His compassion in responding to their situation.

Practical Application

Mark 8:3 reminds us that faith is not solely spiritual; it deeply intersects with our physical reality. Jesus cared about the everyday needs of people, setting an example for believers today:

  • Holistic Care: We are called to minister to the whole person—spirit, soul, and body. True compassion addresses both immediate physical needs and long-term spiritual growth.
  • Awareness of Others: Just as Jesus observed the crowd's weariness, we should be attentive to the practical struggles and needs of those around us, whether in our communities, churches, or families.
  • Trust in God's Provision: This verse, leading into the miraculous feeding, encourages us to trust in God's ability to provide for our needs, even when circumstances seem impossible. He is aware of our journeys and our limitations.
  • Active Compassion: The Lord's example prompts us to move beyond mere sympathy to active, practical help for those who are vulnerable or in need, reflecting the heart of Christ to a hungry world. The principle of caring for those who are hungry or cold is echoed in James 2:15-16.
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Cross-References

  • Judges 8:4

    ¶ And Gideon came to Jordan, [and] passed over, he, and the three hundred men that [were] with him, faint, yet pursuing [them].

  • Judges 8:6

    And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

  • Isaiah 40:31

    But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

  • 1 Samuel 30:10

    But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

  • 1 Samuel 30:12

    And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk [any] water, three days and three nights.

  • 1 Samuel 14:28

    Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint.

  • 1 Samuel 14:31

    And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.