Mark 6:37

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

He answered {G611} and {G1161} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Give {G1325} ye {G5210} them {G846} to eat {G5315}. And {G2532} they say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Shall we go {G565} and buy {G59} two hundred {G1250} pennyworth {G1220} of bread {G740}, and {G2532} give {G1325} them {G846} to eat {G5315}?

But he answered them, "Give them something to eat, yourselves!" They replied, "We are to go and spend thousands on bread, and give it to them to eat?"

But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?”

But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred shillings’ worth of bread, and give them to eat?

Commentary

Mark 6:37 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus feeding the five thousand, highlighting the stark contrast between human limitations and divine capability. Following Jesus' observation of the vast crowd and His compassion for them, He challenges His disciples with a seemingly impossible task.

Context

This verse immediately follows the disciples' suggestion to send the hungry crowds away to buy food for themselves (Mark 6:35-36). Jesus, knowing what He was about to do, turns the question back to them with a direct command: "Give ye them to eat." The disciples' response reveals their human perspective, focused entirely on the logistical and financial impossibility of such a feat. They estimate the cost at "two hundred pennyworth of bread," underscoring the immense financial burden, equivalent to about eight months' wages for a common laborer. This setup perfectly frames the miracle that is about to unfold, emphasizing the overwhelming need and the disciples' inability to meet it with their own resources.

Key Themes

  • Divine Command vs. Human Incapacity: Jesus' instruction is a test of faith, pushing the disciples beyond their natural understanding of what is possible. Their immediate calculation highlights their reliance on visible resources rather than the invisible power of God.
  • Faith and Provision: The disciples' question, while practical, reveals a lack of foresight regarding Jesus' divine ability to provide. It sets the stage for a dramatic display of God's abundant provision, where a small offering becomes more than enough.
  • Discipleship and Obedience: This exchange teaches an important lesson about obedience to Christ's commands, even when they seem illogical or impossible from a human standpoint. It's a call to look beyond our own means and trust in His.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pennyworth" in the KJV refers to a denarius (plural: denarii), a Roman silver coin which was the typical daily wage for a laborer in the first century. Therefore, "two hundred pennyworth" (200 denarii) represented a substantial amount, highlighting the sheer impossibility of the disciples purchasing enough food for such a vast multitude (later counted as five thousand men, besides women and children) from their own funds or readily available supplies.

Practical Application

Mark 6:37 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. Often, God calls us to tasks that seem overwhelming or beyond our capabilities, whether it's serving a great need in our community, embarking on a challenging ministry, or simply overcoming a personal obstacle. Like the disciples, our first inclination might be to calculate the cost and deem it impossible. This verse challenges us to:

  1. Look to Christ, not our resources: Instead of focusing on what we lack, we are called to trust in what Christ can do with what little we have.
  2. Obey even when it doesn't make sense: Sometimes, faith requires taking a step of obedience even when the outcome is unclear.
  3. Anticipate God's extraordinary provision: Just as Jesus miraculously fed the crowd (Mark 6:41-44), He is capable of meeting every need far beyond our expectations. This event foreshadows Jesus' identity as the true Bread of Life, who abundantly satisfies spiritual hunger as well.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:42 (8 votes)

    And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

  • 2 Kings 4:44 (8 votes)

    So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.

  • Numbers 11:13 (4 votes)

    Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

  • Matthew 15:32 (4 votes)

    Then Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

  • Matthew 15:33 (4 votes)

    And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

  • Luke 9:13 (3 votes)

    But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

  • Mark 8:2 (3 votes)

    I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: