Mark 8:1-10

3. FEEDING THE FOUR THOUSAND. 8:1-10

TEXT 8:1-10

In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; and some of them are come from far. And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? and they said, Seven, And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them, And they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets. And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away. And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 8:1-10

364.

Where did the feeding of the four thousand take place?

365.

For how many days had some in the multitude been without food? What does this indicate as to interest in what Jesus was teaching?

366.

Please read the record of the feeding of the five thousand and show at least three contrasts in the comparison of the two incidents.

367.

Note the use of the term fasting in Mark 8:3. Why worry about them?

368.

Why refer to the district of Decapolis as a desert place.

369.

Does the reply of the disciples in Mark 8:4 indicate any knowledge of a previous multiplying of loaves? Please read the context carefully.

370.

Did the apostles know what Jesus was going to do before He did it? i.e. with the loaves and the people?

371.

Just what type of bread did they have?

372.

What order did Jesus give to the multitude?

373.

Was it the prayer of thanks for the loaves and fish that resulted in the multiplying of them in the hands of Jesus?

374.

Just how many small flat loaves would it take to feed 4,000? How many small fish?please estimate.

375.

Consider the fact that all ate until they were filled not just a little, but until they were filled. What does this mean to you?

376.

Why gather up the fragments?

377.

Were there actually more than 4,000 fed? Explain.

378.

Had Jesus arrived in a boat? Where was the miracle performed? Cf. Mark 7:31; Matthew 15:32-38.

COMMENT

TIMESummer A.D. 29.
PLACEIn Decapolis.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTSMatthew 15:32-38.

OUTLINE1. The occasion for the miracle, Mark 8:1. Mark 8:2. The need for the miracle, Mark 8:2-3. Mark 8:3. The disciples and the miracle, Mark 8:4-5. Mark 8:4. Preparation for the miracle, Mark 8:6 a. Mark 8:5. The miracle, Mark 8:6 b, Mark 8:7. Mark 8:6. The results of the miracle, Mark 8:8-10.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE OCCASION FOR THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:1.

1.

In the days of Jesus-' time in Decapolis.

2.

A great multitude had gathered.

3.

They had nothing to eat.

II. THE NEED FOR THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:2-3.

1.

Three days without food.

2.

If sent home they would faint on the way.

III.

THE DISCIPLES AND THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:4-5.

1.

How shall such a multitude be filled?

2.

We have seven loaves.

IV.

PREPARATION FOR THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:6 a.

1.

Sit down in anticipation of eating.

2.

Gave thanks for the loaves.

V.

THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:6 b, Mark 8:7.

1.

By power of His own will he created enough loaves for the multitude.

2.

The apostles were the waiters.

3.

Also blessed and created fish for the multitude.

VI.

THE RESULTS OF THE MIRACLE, Mark 8:8-10.

1.

They ate and were filled.

2.

Seven large baskets of fragments gathered.

3.

They were dismissed.

4.

Jesus and His disciples departed in a boat for Dalmanutha.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

THE OCCASION FOR THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:1. In those days the multitude being very great, etc. We now come to what is called The Second Miracle of the loaves. From the fact that-' we have two miracles performed almost under the same circumstances, and in the same manner, and the accompanying details very much resembling one another in both cases, we cannot but gather that we have here a peculiar phase of Christ's love and power presented to us, and by its repetition commended very urgently to our notice, so that we should be very anxious to realize all that is taught us in these two accounts. It would seem at first sight impossible to do more than repeat what has been before remarked on the two miracles, as related in St. Matthew, and on the first one which has already been fully described in Mark, but it is not so. We have yet many fragments to gather up if nothing is to be lost. In the first place, then, the Lord here takes the initiative.

II.

THE NEED FOR THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:2-3. -I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days,-' etc. In the former miracle He felt equal compassion for the multitude, but did not express it. The disciples urge upon Him to send them away, and then He, as it were, invites them to suggest some exercise of the mighty power which they had so repeatedly seen put forth by Him. But they can suggest nothing except what is natural, that they should be dismissed to take care of themselves. Now the Lord Himself begins: I have compassion on the multitude, they have been with me three days. If I send them to their own houses, they will faint by the way, etc. Here was the hint given that they should ask Him to do as He had done just before, but apparently not a thought of the former mighty work presented itself. They seem to have altogether forgotten it.

III.

THE DISCIPLES AND THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:4. -And his disciples answered him, From whence,-' etc. We marvel at (must not the word be said?) this stupidity, but is it not natural? This surprise arises out of our ignorance of man's heart, of our own hearts, and of the deep root of unbelief therein. It is ever more thus in times of difficulty and distress. All former deliverances are in danger of being forgotten, the mighty interpositions of God's hand in former passages of men's lives fall out of their memories. Each new difficulty appears insurmountable, as one from which there is no extrication; at each recurring necessity it seems as though the wonders of God's grace are exhausted, and have come to an end. God may have diverted the Red Sea for Israel, yet no sooner are they on the other side than, because there are no waters to drink, they murmur against Moses, and count that they must perish through thirst (Exodus 17:1-7), crying -Is the Lord amongst us or not?-' Or, to adduce a still nearer parallel, once already the Lord had covered the camp with quails (Exodus 16:13), yet for all this, even Moses himself cannot believe that He will provide flesh for all that multitude. (Trench)

But the backwardness of the Apostles to believe in Christ's readiness to feed the multitudes miraculously, is in strong contrast with their readiness to believe in His powers of healing. They had but a short time before urged the Lord to grant the request of the Syrophenician woman, when He seemed unwilling. May it not, in part, have arisen from the infrequency of this sort of miracle? As Theophylact says, He did not always work miracles for the feeding of the multitude, lest they should follow Him for the sake of food.

And may there not be also something typical, something prophetical, about it? Do not many true disciples of the Lord in these days, who thankfully acknowledge the Lord's power to cleanse and heal, seem to have their eyes closed to the supernatural or eucharistic feeding, of which this miracle is so remarkable an adumbration?
Again, do we not learn from this miracle how Christ will exercise acts of special providence to help and succour those who are following Him? Is there any life of a poor humble Christian which does not contain some account of interpositions almost supernatural in favour of those who have given up all to follow Him? Dean Hook, in a lecture on this very miracle, gives a striking one: There was an individual who gave up a profitable employment, acting under advice, and not from the mere caprice of his own judgment, because he thought, taking his temptations into account, he could not follow it without peril to his soul, And after many reverses he was reduced to such a state of distress, that the last morsel in the house had been consumed, and he had not bread to give his children, His faith did not, however, forsake him; and when his distress was at the height, he received a visit from one who called to pay him a debt he had never hoped to recover, but the payment of which enabled him to support his family until he again obtained employment. And he adds, Many a similar tale can our poorer brethren tell.

Mark 8:5. -And he asked them, How many loaves have ye?-' etc. This question was not for information. He knew well how many they had, but he asked it that there should be no mistake about the miraculous nature of the feeding. There were two more loaves and a somewhat smaller multitude than on the former occasion, but this does not, in the smallest degree, affect the character of the mighty work.

IV.

PREPARATION FOR THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:6. -And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground,-' etc. From the fact that it is expressly mentioned in the account of the former miracle, that there was much grass in the place, and that they sat by companies on the green grass, it has been argued with much probability that this second miracle took place at a much later time in the year, when the grass had been dried up by the scorching rays of the sun.

-And gave thanks.-' We have before noticed the symbolical character of this giving thanks as foreshadowing the Eucharistic Benediction; but we learn also from it a more homely lesson, how that for all food, whenever received, thanks should be rendered, and we also learn how we ought to be thankful for all means and opportunities of doing good. The thanks of the Lord would be tendered to His father not only in anticipation of the actual food soon to be so. marvellously provided, but for the opportunity of showing forth the Divine glory and power, and also of relieving the wants of so many who were following Him for a good purpose.
-And gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples,-' etc. From the circumstantiality with which these details are given in each of the four accounts, it is clear that there is some particular lesson which the Lord and His Spirit would have us draw from this. That lesson seems to be that the true feeding in the Church of Christ is not that each man should

take for himself, but that all that can be called food is to be given through ministerial intervention.
V.

THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:7. And they had a few small fishes. seven baskets. sent them away. From the mention of a few small fishes, it seems evident that the disciples gave all their provisions of every kind for the sustentation of the multitude; but notwithstanding this they were not in want, for a much larger quantity of fragments or broken pieces was taken up than in the case of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand: the word here used signifying hampers or panniers, rather than baskets. The same word is used to denote the basket in which St. Paul was let down from the walls of Damascus (2 Corinthians 11:33).

VI.

THE RESULTS OF THE MIRACLE.

Mark 8:10. -And straightway he entered into a ship. parts of Dalmanutha.-' Dr. Thomson, in The Land and the Book, thinks that he can identify this place with a certain Dalhamia, about half-way down on the western side of the Lake. It is about two miles south of El Medjet, which has been supposed to be the site of the ancient Magdala (or Magadan) (Matthew 15:39). (M.F. Sadler)

FACT QUESTIONS 8:1-10

417.

What difference would it make if we did feel the two accounts of feeding the multitudes were actually two versions of the same event?

418.

Please show at least three distinct differences in the two records.

419.

Why did the disciples ask the question of Mark 8:4? Please attempt an answer.

420.

Jesus did not ask the disciples to give them to eat, (as he did before)What does this mean?

421.

At what point in the events did the miracle occur?

422.

Which baskets were the largestthe ones here or the ones in the feeding of the 5,000?

423.

What type of miracle occurred here?

424.

Locate Dalmanutha on the map.