Mark 8:4

4. As in Mark 4:21, ὅτι is omitted in most authorities, but is probably original ([1596][1597][1598]).

[1596] Codex Vaticanus. 4th cent., but perhaps a little later than א. In the Vatican Library almost since its foundation by Pope Nicolas V., and one of its greatest treasures. The whole Gospel, ending at Mark 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1889.

[1597] Codex Regius. 8th cent. An important witness. At Paris. Contains Mark 1:1 to Mark 10:15; Mark 10:30 to Mark 15:1; Mark 15:20 to Mark 16:20, but the shorter ending is inserted between Mark 16:8 and Mark 16:9, showing that the scribe preferred it to the longer one.

[1598] Codex Sangallensis. 9th or 10th cent. Contains the Gospels nearly complete, with an interlinear Latin translation. The text of Mark is specially good, agreeing often with CL. At St Gall.

4. ὅτι Πόθεν. The ὅτι is recitative; see crit. note. Syr-Sin. has “Whence art Thou able?” The disciples’ question is urged as an argument for regarding this miracle as a doublet of Mark 6:34-44. Could the disciples, who had seen how the 5000 were fed, have made such a reply? They would have said, “Thou canst feed them.” Their question diffidently suggests this; they confess their own powerlessness and leave the solution to Him. Note the emphatic ἡμῖν in Mt. “How can we have enough food?” Moreover, Christ does not rebuke them. They were still dull of apprehension (Mark 8:16), and were sometimes afraid to ask questions (Mark 9:32).

Χορτάσαι ἄρτων. Cf. τοὺς πτωχοὺς αὐτῆς χορτάσω ἄρτων (Psalms 132:15). The gen. after verbs of filling is freq. (Mark 15:36). Blass, § 36. 4.

ἐρημίας. Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 11:38. The more usual term is ἡ ἔρημος or ἔρημος τόπος.