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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Mark 8:1–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We had the story of a miracle very like this before, in this gospel (Mar 6:35), and of this same miracle (Mat 15:32), and here is little or no addition or alternation as to the circumstances. Yet observe,
1.That our Lord Jesus was greatly followed; The multitude was very great (Mar 8:1); notwithstanding the wicked arts of the scribes and Pharisees to blemish him, and to blast his interest, the common people, who had more honesty, and therefore more true wisdom, than their leaders, kept up their high thoughts of him. We may suppose that this multitude were generally of the meaner sort of people, with such Christ conversed, and was familiar; for thus he humbled himself, and made himself of no reputation, and thus encouraged the meanest to come to him for life and grace.
2.Those that followed him, underwent a great deal of difficulty in following him; They were with him three days, and had nothing to eat, that was hard service. Never let the Pharisee say, that Christ's disciples fast not. There were those, probably, that brought some food with them from home; but by this time it was all spent, and they had a great way home; and yet they continued with Christ, and did not speak of leaving him till he spoke of dismissing them. Note, True zeal makes nothing of hardships in the way of duty. They that have a full feast for their souls may be content with slender provision for their bodies. It was an old saying among the Puritans, Grown bread and the gospel are good fare.
3.As Christ has a compassion for all that are in wants and straits, so he has a special concern for those that are reduced to straits by their zeal and diligence in attending on him. Christ said, I have compassion on the multitude. Whom the proud Pharisees looked upon with disdain, the humble Jesus looked upon with pity and tenderness; and thus must we honour all men. But that which he chiefly considers, is, They have been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. Whatever losses we sustain, or hardships we go through, for Christ's sake, and in love to him, he will take care that they shall be made up to us one way or other. They that seek the Lord, shall not long want any good thing, Psa 34:10. Observe with what sympathy Christ saith (Mar 8:3), If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way, for hunger. Christ knows and considers our frame; and he is for the body, if we glorify him, verily we shall be fed. He considered that many of them came from afar, and had a great way home. When we see multitudes attending upon the word preached, it is comfortable to think that Christ knows whence they all come, though we do not. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, Rev 2:13. Christ would by no means have them go home fasting, for it is not his manner to send those empty way from him, that in a right manner attend on him.
4.The doubts of Christians are sometimes made to work for the magnifying of the power of Christ. The disciples could not imagine whence so many men should be satisfied with bread here in the wilderness, Mar 8:4. That therefore must needs be wonderful, and appear so much the more so, which the disciples looked upon as impossible.
5.Christ's time to act for the relief of his people, is, when things are brought to the last extremity; when they were ready to faint, Christ provided for them. That he might not invite them to follow him for the loaves, he did not supply them but when they were utterly reduced, and then he sent them away.
6.The bounty of Christ is inexhaustible, and, to evidence that, Christ repeated this miracle, to show that he is still the same for the succour and supply of his people that attend upon him. His favours are renewed, as our wants and necessities are. In the former miracle, Christ used all the bread he had, which was five loaves, and fed all the guests he had, which were five thousand, and so he did now; though he might have said, "If five loaves would feed five thousand, four may feed four thousand;" he took all the seven loaves, and fed with them the four thousand; for he would teach us to take things as they are, and accommodate ourselves to them; to use what we have, and make the best of that which is. Here it was, as in the dispensing of manna, He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack.
7.In our Father's house, in our Master's house, there is bread enough, and to spare; there is a fulness in Christ, which he communicates to all that passes through his hands; so that from it we receive, and grace for grace, Joh 1:16. Those need not fear wanting, that have Christ to live upon.
8.It is good for those that follow Christ, to keep together; these followers of Christ continued in a body, four thousand of them together, and Christ fed them all. Christ's sheep must abide by the flock, and go forth by their footsteps, and verily they shall be fed.
Historical interpretation
Seven Centuries of Reception
7 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Or else, the seven loaves are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fragments of the loaves are the mystical understanding of the1 first week.
The small fishes blessed are the books of the New Testament, for our Lord when risen asks for a piece of broiled fish;1 or else in these little fishes, we receive the saints, seeing that in the Scriptures of the New Testament are contained the faith, life, and sufferings of them who, snatched away from the troubled waves of this world, have given us by their example spiritual refreshment.
Again, the seven baskets are the seven Churches. By the four thousand is meant the year of the new dispensation, with its four seasons. Fitly also are there four thousand, that in the number itself it might be taught us that they were filled with the food of the Gospel.
(in Luc. 6:73) The good Lord indeed whilst He requires diligence, gives strength; nor will He dismiss them fasting, lest they faint by the way, that is, either in the course of this life, or before they have reached the fountainhead head of life, that is, the Father, and have learnt that Christ is of the Father, lest haply, after receiving that He is born of a virgin, they begin to esteem His virtue not that of God, but of a man. Therefore the Lord Jesus divides the food, and His will indeed is to give to all, to deny none; He is the Dispenser of all things, but if thou refusest to stretch forth thy hand to receive the food, thou wilt faint by the way, nor canst thou find fault with Him, who pities and divides.
Ignorance was not His reason for asking them, but that from their answering seven, the miracle might be noised abroad, and become more known in proportion to the smallness of the number. It goes on: And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. In the former feeding they lay down on grass, in this one on the ground. It continues, And he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake. In giving thanks, He has left us an example, that for all gifts conferred on us from heaven we should return thanks to Him. And it is to be remarked, that our Lord did not give the bread to the people, but to His disciples, and the disciples to the people; for it goes on, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And not only the bread, but the fish also He blessed, and ordered to be set before them. For there comes after, And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
(Mor. 1, 19) He does not however wish to dismiss them fasting, lest they should faint by the way; for it is necessary that men should find in what is preached the word of consolation, lest hungering through want of the food of truth, they sink under the toil of this life.
(in Marc. 2, 32) Why they who came from afar hold out for three days, Matthew says more fully: And he went up into a mountain, and sat down there, and great multitudes came unto him, having with them many sick persons, and cast them down at Jesus feet, and he healed them. (v. Matt. 15:29)
(ubi sup.) In this passage then we should notice, in one and the same, our Redeemer, a distinct operation of Divinity and of Manhood; thus the error of Eutyches1, who presumes to lay down the doctrine of one only operation in Christ, is to be cast out far from the Christian pale. For who does not here see that the pity of our Lord for the multitude is the feeling and sympathy of humanity; and that at the same time His satisfying four thousand men with seven loaves and a few fishes, is a work of Divine virtue? It goes on, And they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
(ubi sup.) The typical difference between this feeding and the other of the five loaves and two fishes, is, that there the letter of the Old Testament, full of spiritual grace, is signified, but here the truth and grace of the New Testament, which is to be ministered to all the faithful, is pointed out. Now the multitude remains three days, waiting for the Lord to heal their sick, as Matthew relates, when the elect, in the faith of the Holy Trinity, supplicate for sins, with persevering earnestness; or because they turn themselves to the Lord in deed, in word, and in thought.
(ubi sup.) But they who return to repentance after the crimes of the flesh, after thefts, violence, and murders, come to the Lord from afar; for in proportion as a man has wandered farther in evil working, so he has wandered farther from Almighty God. The believers amongst the Gentiles came from afar to Christ, but the Jews from near, for they had been taught concerning Him by the letter of the law and the prophets. In the former case, however, of the feeding with five loaves, the multitude lay upon the green grass; here, however, upon the ground, because by the writing of the law, we are ordered to keep under the desires of the flesh, but in the New Testament we are ordered to leave even the earth itself and our temporal goods.
(ubi sup.) For our Lord's breaking the bread means the opening of mysteries; His giving of thanks shows how great a joy He feels in the salvation of the human race; His giving the loaves to His disciples that they might set them before the people, signifies that He assigns the spiritual gifts of knowledge to the Apostles, and that it was His will that by their ministry the food of life should be distributed to the Church.
(ubi sup.) Again, what was over and above, after the multitude was refreshed, the Apostles take up, because the higher precepts of perfection, to which the multitude cannot attain, belong to those whose life transcends that of the generality of the people of God; nevertheless, the multitude is said to have been satisfied, because though they cannot leave all that they possess, nor come up to that which is spoken of virgins, yet by listening to the commands of the law of God, they attain to everlasting life.
And he asked them: How many loaves do you have? They said: Seven. The seven loaves are well placed in the mystery of the New Testament, in which the septiform grace of the Holy Spirit, more fully revealed to all the faithful, is both believed in and given. They are not found to be of barley, like those five loaves, with which five thousand men were fed, lest again, as in the law, the vital food of the soul be hidden by bodily sacraments. For the marrow of barley is tightly covered by a very tenacious husk.
After the Lord had performed the former miracle concerning the multiplication of the loaves, now again, a fitting occasion presents itself, and He takes the opportunity of working a similar miracle; wherefore it is said, 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. For He did not always work miracles concerning the feeding of the multitude, lest they should follow Him for the sake of food; now therefore He would not have performed this miracle, if He had not seen that the multitude was in danger. Wherefore it goes on: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
The disciples did not yet understand, nor did they believe in His virtue, notwithstanding former miracles; wherefore it continues, And his disciples said unto him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? But the Lord Himself does not blame them, teaching us that we should not be grievously angry with ignorant men and those who do not understand, but bear with their ignorance. After this it continues, And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? and they answered, Seven.
The multitudes who ate and were filled did not take with them the remains of the loaves, but the disciples took them up, as they did before the baskets. In which we learn according to the narration, that we should be content with what is sufficient, and not look for any thing beyond. The number of those who ate is put down, when it is said, And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away; where we may see that Christ sends no one away fasting, for He wishes all to be nourished by His grace.
Or by those who wait for three days, He means the baptized; for baptism is called illumination, and is performed by trine immersion.
Further, the seven loaves are spiritual discourses, for seven is the number, which points out the Holy Ghost, who perfects all things; for our life is perfected in the number of seven days'd.
Or there are four thousand, that is, men perfect in the four virtues; and for this reason, as being more advanced, they ate more, and left fewer fragments. For in this miracle, seven baskets full remain, but in the miracle of the five loaves, twelve, for there were five thousand men, which means men enslaved to the five senses, and for this reason they could not eat, but were satisfied with little, and many remains of the fragments were over and above.
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Summary
Mark 8:5 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, immediately preceding the miraculous feeding of the four thousand. In this verse, Jesus directly queries His disciples about their available food resources, specifically loaves, in the face of a large, hungry multitude. Their simple response, "Seven," highlights the apparent inadequacy of their provisions, setting the stage for Jesus' divine intervention and demonstrating His compassionate concern for the physical needs of the crowd.
Context
Literary Context
Mark 8:5 is embedded within the narrative of Jesus' second large-scale feeding miracle, the feeding of the four thousand, which spans Mark 8:1-10. This event closely follows the healing of a deaf and mute man in the Decapolis region (Mark 7:31-37), indicating Jesus' continued ministry among Gentiles. The immediate preceding verses (Mark 8:1-3) establish Jesus' profound compassion for the vast crowd, who had been with Him for three days and were without food, expressing concern that they might faint on their journey home. His question in verse 5 serves as a direct inquiry into the disciples' practical assessment of the situation, mirroring a similar interaction before the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6, thereby inviting them to participate in the problem-solving and setting the stage for His miraculous provision.
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting is likely in the Decapolis region, a Gentile area east of the Sea of Galilee, as indicated by Mark 7:31. This contrasts with the earlier feeding of the five thousand, which occurred in a Jewish region. The "loaves" (Greek: artoi) would have been small, flat, round loaves of bread, common in the ancient Near East, often made from barley or wheat flour and easily carried. Such loaves were a staple of the diet, and seven of them would be a truly meager amount for a crowd of four thousand men, plus women and children, highlighting the immense disparity between available resources and the pressing need. The disciples' simple, factual answer reflects the stark reality of their limited provisions in a desolate area, far from markets or villages where food could be purchased.
Key Themes
This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Provision, demonstrating Jesus' power to meet overwhelming human needs supernaturally, even when human resources are utterly insufficient. Secondly, it highlights the theme of Discipleship and Spiritual Dullness, as the disciples, despite having witnessed the feeding of the five thousand, still struggle to grasp the full extent of Jesus' divine power and often respond with human limitations rather than faith. This ongoing struggle is a recurring motif in Mark, culminating in Jesus' later rebuke in Mark 8:17-21. Lastly, the verse reinforces Jesus' Compassion and Practical Care, showing that His concern for humanity extends beyond spiritual matters to their immediate physical well-being, a consistent characteristic of His ministry as depicted throughout Mark's Gospel.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From ἐπί and ἐρωτάω, meaning "to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek." In this context, Jesus' question is not born of ignorance but is a deliberate inquiry designed to prompt the disciples to assess their situation and acknowledge their lack. It serves as a pedagogical tool, drawing them into the problem before revealing the divine solution.
From αἴρω, meaning "bread (as raised) or a loaf." This refers to the common, small, flat loaves of bread, typically made from barley or wheat, that were a staple of the diet in ancient Israel. The use of this specific term emphasizes the tangible, everyday nature of the food, making the subsequent miracle all the more striking.
A primary number, simply "seven." The specific number "seven" is significant, contrasting sharply with the "five" loaves in the earlier feeding miracle (Mark 6:38). While both numbers represent scarcity in relation to the multitude, "seven" often carries symbolic weight in biblical contexts, sometimes associated with completeness or perfection, though here it primarily underscores the disciples' meager inventory.
Verse Breakdown
"And he asked them"
This opening phrase indicates Jesus' initiative in the situation. He takes the lead, engaging His disciples directly. The question is posed to those closest to Him, inviting their participation and assessment of the dire circumstances.
"How many loaves have ye?"
This is Jesus' direct inquiry into the disciples' resources. It is a practical question that forces them to confront the reality of their limited provisions in the face of an overwhelming need. This question serves to highlight the human inability to solve the problem and prepares the ground for a divine solution.
"And they said, Seven."
The disciples' simple, factual response reveals the meager extent of their available food. It is a stark admission of scarcity, underscoring the vast disproportion between what they possess and what is required to feed four thousand people. Their answer is devoid of any suggestion of a solution, emphasizing their reliance on Jesus.
Literary Devices
Mark 8:5 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. Interrogation is central, as Jesus' direct question, "How many loaves have ye?", serves not merely to gather information but to highlight the disciples' limited perspective and prepare them for a supernatural display of power. This question functions as a catalyst, initiating the sequence of events that will lead to the miracle. The verse also utilizes Contrast, setting the immense need of the four thousand against the paltry "seven" loaves possessed by the disciples. This stark difference emphasizes the human inadequacy and magnifies the divine abundance that is about to be revealed. Furthermore, the simplicity of the disciples' response, "Seven," creates a moment of understatement, subtly building tension and anticipation for Jesus' subsequent actions, which will dramatically transcend their limited reality.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Mark 8:5, though brief, is rich in theological implications, primarily highlighting God's providential care and Jesus' role as the ultimate provider. It underscores the divine pattern of taking what little humanity offers and multiplying it beyond measure to meet profound needs. This verse, situated within the context of a miraculous feeding, serves as a powerful reminder that God is not limited by human scarcity but often uses our perceived limitations as a starting point for demonstrating His boundless power and compassion. It challenges believers to bring their meager resources, whether material, spiritual, or relational, to Christ, trusting that He can transform and multiply them for His purposes.
Reflection and Application
Mark 8:5 serves as a profound mirror for our own lives, inviting us to reflect on how we respond when faced with overwhelming needs and seemingly insufficient resources. Like the disciples, our initial inclination is often to assess the situation based on what we possess, leading to a sense of inadequacy or despair. However, Jesus' question redirects our focus from our limitations to His limitless power. This verse challenges us to bring our "seven loaves"—our small talents, limited time, meager finances, or even our faltering faith—to Him. It teaches us that true provision does not originate from our abundance but from our willingness to surrender what little we have to the One who can multiply it. In every area of life, whether personal struggles, community needs, or global challenges, the principle remains: when we offer our "seven" to the Savior, He can take it, bless it, break it, and distribute it in ways that far exceed our natural capabilities, demonstrating His glory and meeting the needs of many.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus ask the disciples how many loaves they had if He already knew He would perform a miracle?
Jesus' question was not born of ignorance but served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it was a pedagogical tool designed to involve the disciples in the problem and prompt them to assess the dire situation themselves. By asking them to take inventory, Jesus forced them to confront their human limitations and the vast disparity between their resources and the crowd's needs. This process highlighted their inability to solve the problem on their own, thereby preparing them to witness and comprehend the magnitude of His divine power. Secondly, it served to test their faith, especially after they had already witnessed the feeding of the five thousand. Despite that prior miracle, their immediate response often revealed a continued struggle to fully grasp Jesus' supernatural capabilities, underscoring their ongoing need for spiritual growth and deeper understanding of who He is as the Son of God and the ultimate provider.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Mark 8:5, with its depiction of Jesus inquiring about meager resources before a miraculous provision, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's provision and the "Bread of Life." This event, like the earlier feeding of the five thousand, foreshadows Jesus' own self-giving sacrifice and His ability to satisfy humanity's deepest hunger. Just as the physical loaves were multiplied to feed the multitude, Jesus himself is the spiritual bread that brings eternal life to all who believe. He is the one who, in His incarnation, "emptied himself" (Philippians 2:7) and offered His body as the ultimate provision for sin on the cross (John 6:51). The seemingly insufficient "seven loaves" offered by the disciples find their ultimate parallel in Christ's perfect, yet seemingly weak, human sacrifice, which God magnified into the abundant salvation available to all nations. Thus, Jesus' question in Mark 8:5 not only sets the stage for a physical miracle but also serves as a poignant reminder that He is the one who truly satisfies the spiritual hunger of the world, inviting us to bring our brokenness and need to Him, the inexhaustible source of life (John 6:35).