Mark 8:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that had eaten {G5315} were {G2258} about {G5613} four thousand {G5070}: and {G2532} he sent {G630} them {G846} away {G630}.

Complete Jewish Bible

About four thousand were there.

Berean Standard Bible

And about four thousand men were present. As soon as Jesus had dismissed the crowd,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 8:9 brings the account of Jesus' second miraculous feeding to a concise conclusion, detailing the approximate number of people nourished—four thousand—and Jesus' subsequent action of dismissing them. This verse serves as the final numerical and narrative punctuation mark to a profound demonstration of divine compassion and abundant provision, underscoring the tangible impact of Christ's ministry on the lives of ordinary people before He continued His journey.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 8:9 provides the concluding summary for the second miraculous feeding narrative, which spans [Mark 8:1-9](/mark/8-1-9 "Mark 8:1-9 - The Feeding of the Four Thousand"). This event immediately follows a period where Jesus has been ministering in the Decapolis region, a predominantly Gentile area. The narrative begins with Jesus' profound compassion for the hungry multitude, who had been with Him for three days and had nothing to eat. He then takes seven loaves and a few small fish, blesses them, breaks them, and gives them to His disciples to distribute. The miracle culminates in everyone eating their fill and seven baskets of leftover fragments being collected, a detail that contrasts with the twelve baskets from the earlier feeding of the five thousand in [Mark 6:30-44](/mark/6-30-44 "Mark 6:30-44 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand"). The proximity of these two similar, yet distinct, miracles sets the stage for the disciples' continued struggle to comprehend Jesus' identity and power, a theme that becomes explicit in the subsequent dialogue about "bread" in [Mark 8:14-21](/mark/8-14-21 "Mark 8:14-21 - The Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this miracle is widely understood to be the Decapolis, a region east of the Sea of Galilee, characterized by a league of ten Hellenistic cities. Unlike the first feeding, which likely occurred in Jewish territory (Bethsaida or a deserted place near it), this second miracle in the Decapolis highlights Jesus' ministry extending beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel to include Gentiles. This geographical and cultural context underscores the universal scope of Jesus' compassion and the breaking down of ethnic barriers in His kingdom. The act of feeding a large crowd in a remote area was a significant logistical feat and a powerful public demonstration of authority and provision, reminiscent of God's provision of manna in the wilderness for Israel ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")). The collection of leftovers, a common practice in Jewish culture to prevent waste, further emphasized the abundance of the provision.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as the conclusion to the feeding miracle, contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision**, showcasing Jesus' ability to supernaturally meet the physical needs of humanity, mirroring God's care for His people throughout salvation history, as seen in the wilderness wanderings. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Universal Compassion**, extending His care to a predominantly Gentile crowd, signaling the inclusion of all peoples in God's redemptive plan. This anticipates the Great Commission found in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Thirdly, the specific numbers—"four thousand" fed and "seven baskets" of leftovers—emphasize **Abundance and Sufficiency**, demonstrating that Jesus not only provides enough but provides in overflowing measure, pointing to His identity as the true "bread of life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Finally, the disciples' subsequent inability to grasp the significance of these two distinct feeding miracles, despite their direct involvement, underscores the theme of **Disciples' Limited Understanding** of Jesus' true identity and the nature of His kingdom, a recurring motif throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel According to Mark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eaten (Greek, _phágō_):** This primary verb signifies the act of consuming food, literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to the physical nourishment received by the multitude, emphasizing the tangible and satisfying nature of Jesus' provision. The use of the perfect participle ("they that had eaten") points to a completed action with ongoing results—the people were now full and satisfied.
* **about (Greek, _hōs_):** This particle indicates approximation, suggesting that the number "four thousand" is a close estimate rather than an exact count. It conveys the vastness of the crowd while acknowledging the practical difficulty of a precise tally in such circumstances. This nuance reinforces the miraculous scale of the event without demanding absolute mathematical precision.
* **sent away (Greek, _apolýō_):** Derived from `apo` (from) and `lyō` (to loose), this verb means to free fully, release, or dismiss. Here, it describes Jesus' authoritative act of disbanding the crowd. It implies not merely a casual departure but a deliberate and organized dismissal, ensuring the well-being of the people after their miraculous meal. This action underscores Jesus' control over the situation and His concern for the orderly conclusion of the event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that had eaten were about four thousand:"** This clause provides the numerical summary of the miracle's beneficiaries. The phrase "they that had eaten" highlights the direct recipients of Jesus' miraculous provision, emphasizing their full participation in the meal. The number "about four thousand" conveys the immense scale of the crowd, a testament to Jesus' power to feed a vast multitude with minimal resources. This detail serves as a concrete measure of the miracle's impact, demonstrating the tangible reality of God's abundant care for His people.
* **"and he sent them away."** This concluding clause describes Jesus' final action concerning the crowd. The verb "sent away" (ἀπέλυσεν) indicates a deliberate dismissal, implying that the people were now satisfied and free to return to their homes. This act signifies the completion of the miraculous event and Jesus' compassionate concern for the welfare of the people, ensuring their safe dispersal after their needs had been met. It also marks a transition point in the narrative, allowing Jesus to move on to the next phase of His ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 8:9, though brief, effectively employs several literary devices to conclude the narrative of the feeding of the four thousand. The use of **Numbers** ("four thousand") serves to quantify the miracle's scale, providing a concrete measure of Jesus' power and the abundance of His provision. This numerical detail also creates a subtle **Parallelism** with the earlier feeding of the five thousand ([Mark 6:44](/mark/6-44 "Mark 6:44 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")), inviting readers to compare and contrast the two events, thereby highlighting the distinct yet consistent nature of Jesus' miraculous works. The concise, declarative statement "and he sent them away" functions as a form of **Narrative Closure**, signaling the completion of the episode and the orderly conclusion of the event. This simple statement also subtly conveys Jesus' **Authority** and control over the crowd, as He is the one who initiates their dismissal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 8:9, as the culmination of the feeding of the four thousand, powerfully reinforces the theological truth of God's abundant and compassionate provision, not just for Israel but for all humanity. This miracle, occurring in a predominantly Gentile region, expands the scope of divine care beyond ethnic boundaries, foreshadowing the universal reach of the Gospel. It demonstrates that Jesus is the ultimate source of sustenance, capable of meeting both physical and spiritual needs in overflowing measure. The act of sending the satisfied crowd away underscores the completeness of His work and His meticulous care for the well-being of those He serves. This event serves as a tangible sign of the coming kingdom of God, where all who hunger will be filled by the King.

* [Matthew 15:38](/matthew/15-38 "Matthew 15:38 - The Feeding of the Four Thousand")
* [Psalm 23:5](/psalm/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - God's Abundant Provision")
* [John 6:11](/john/6-11 "John 6:11 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 8:9, though a simple concluding verse, offers profound lessons for our lives today. It reminds us that Jesus is not only capable of meeting our needs but does so with overflowing abundance and compassionate care. In a world often marked by scarcity and anxiety, this verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's unfailing provision, recognizing that He sees our hunger—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and is moved to act. Just as the crowd was satisfied and sent away, we too are invited to experience the fullness of Christ's provision and then, empowered by His grace, to go forth into the world as His hands and feet, extending His compassion to others. This verse challenges us to move beyond our limited perspectives, much like the disciples, and to truly grasp the boundless nature of God's love and power, allowing it to transform our fears into faith and our anxieties into peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the abundance of Jesus' provision in this miracle challenge my understanding of God's care for my own needs, both physical and spiritual?**
* **In what ways can I, empowered by Christ, be an instrument of God's provision and compassion for others in my community or sphere of influence?**
* **What "hunger" (physical, emotional, spiritual) in my life am I currently trusting Jesus to satisfy, and how can I deepen my faith in His ability to provide?**

### FAQ
**Why is the number of people fed important, and how does it compare to the feeding of the five thousand?**
Answer: The number "four thousand" (and the "seven baskets" of leftovers) is crucial because it quantifies the scale of Jesus' miraculous provision, demonstrating His immense power and the tangible impact of His compassion. It also serves as a distinct numerical marker that differentiates this miracle from the earlier feeding of "five thousand" ([Mark 6:44](/mark/6-44 "Mark 6:44 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")) where "twelve baskets" of leftovers were collected. While both events showcase divine provision, the distinct numbers (4,000 vs. 5,000; 7 baskets vs. 12 baskets) prevent conflation and highlight that Jesus performed multiple such miracles. The difference in numbers of people and baskets might also subtly allude to the different audiences (Gentile vs. Jewish, respectively, though not explicitly stated for the first feeding) and the completeness of God's provision for all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 8:9, in its simple declaration of the multitude being fed and sent away, points profoundly to Christ as the ultimate provider and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the one who compassionately feeds four thousand in a desolate place, is the very "bread of life" who came down from heaven to give life to the world ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). His physical provision here foreshadows His spiritual provision for all humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy our deepest hunger for righteousness and eternal life. The act of "sending them away" after they were satisfied anticipates the spiritual freedom and peace that believers find in Christ, being released from the bondage of sin and sent forth with the good news. Just as He nourished the multitude, Jesus continues to nourish His church through His Word and Spirit, preparing us for the great marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where all hunger will be forever satisfied in His presence. This miracle, therefore, is a tangible sign of the new covenant, where Christ's abundant grace extends to all who believe, transcending all boundaries to bring nourishment and liberation.

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.