Mark 8:7

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

And {G2532} they had {G2192} a few {G3641} small fishes {G2485}: and {G2532} he blessed {G2127}, and commanded {G2036} to set {G3908} them {G846} also {G2532} before {G3908} them.

They also had a few fish; making a b'rakhah over them he also ordered these to be served.

They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well.

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

Commentary

Context of Mark 8:7

This verse is part of the account of Jesus miraculously feeding over four thousand people, along with their families, in a desolate place. This event, often referred to as the "feeding of the four thousand," is distinct from the earlier "feeding of the five thousand" (recorded in Mark 6:41), though it shares similar themes. After three days of being with Jesus and listening to His teaching, the crowd was hungry and without provisions. Jesus, moved by compassion, initiated the miracle, asking His disciples about their available food (Mark 8:5). They reported having only seven loaves and a few small fishes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision from Scarcity: The presence of "a few small fishes" alongside the loaves underscores the meager starting point for such a massive undertaking. This highlights Jesus' power to take very little and multiply it to meet immense needs, demonstrating God's ability to provide abundantly even from seemingly insufficient resources.
  • Compassion and Care for Physical Needs: Jesus' initiation of the miracle stems from His deep concern that the multitude might faint on their journey home (Mark 8:3). This verse shows that His compassion extends not only to spiritual nourishment but also to the immediate physical well-being of people.
  • Inclusion of All Provisions: The fact that Jesus "blessed, and commanded to set them also before [them]" emphasizes that every available piece of food, no matter how small, was included in the miraculous multiplication and distribution. Nothing was deemed too insignificant for God to use.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "small fishes" used here is ichthydia (แผฐฯ‡ฮธฯฮดฮนฮฑ). This is a diminutive form of ichthys (fish), literally meaning "little fish." The use of this diminutive emphasizes their small size, further highlighting the miraculous nature of the provision. The act of "blessing" (Greek: eulogeล) was a common practice before meals, but in Jesus' hands, it preceded a supernatural multiplication, transforming ordinary food into a source of extraordinary abundance.

Practical Application

Mark 8:7 offers profound lessons for believers today. It encourages us to:

  • Trust God with Little: We often feel our resources, talents, or efforts are too small to make a difference. This verse reminds us that when we offer what little we have to Jesus, He can bless it and multiply it for His purposes, far beyond what we could imagine.
  • Recognize God's Holistic Care: Jesus cared for both the spiritual and physical needs of the crowd. This teaches us that God is concerned with every aspect of our lives, from our daily bread to our deepest spiritual longings, reinforcing promises like those found in Philippians 4:19.
  • Practice Gratitude and Blessing: Jesus blessed the food before it was distributed. This act of thanksgiving and dedication serves as a model for us to acknowledge God's sovereignty and provision in all circumstances, no matter how humble our beginnings.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:19

    And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

  • Luke 6:41

    And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

  • Luke 24:41

    And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

  • Luke 24:42

    And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

  • John 21:5

    Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

  • John 21:8

    And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

  • John 21:9

    As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
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