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In this lesson:
Still in Decapolis. Jesus feeds four thousand Gentiles. This is a different miracle than the feeding of five thousand recorded in Mark 6:33-44 (lesson 75). Also - Jesus refuses a miracle, rebukes the Pharisees and His own disciples. The blind man of Bethsaida. Study Tip: Don't forget to click on the links and read the margin notes in blue. |
Jesus feeds 4,000 Gentiles
By an unknown artist |
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 8:1-26
More miracles 1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. 10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. 11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. 13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. 17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? 22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. |
Margin notes:
"The multitude being very great." (8:1) - Jesus drew large, excited crowds. This crowd were mostly Gentiles and followed Him for three days (8:2). "They will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far." (8:3) - "They will collapse along the way, for many of them came from afar." "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread." (8:4) - "From where can a man find bread to feed these people." "Dalmanutha." (8:10) - A district on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee. Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, is located in Dalmanutha. "Seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him." (8:11) - While some asked Jesus to perform a miracle so they might believe (John 6:30), the Pharisees wanted Jesus to perform a miracle to test Him. "Verily." (8:12) - Means, "truly." "Departed to the other side." (8:13) - Jesus and His group left for Bethsaida on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. "He charged them... beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." (8:15) - "He warned them... beware of the yeast of the Pharisees." Jesus uses leaven (yeast) to symbolize the evil of sin. Just as a little leaven makes bread rise, the Pharisees' evil will make the people rise up against the Messiah. "They reasoned among themselves." (8:16) - "They talked amongst themselves." "Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?" (8:18) - Jesus is Paraphrasing Jeremiah 5:21 and Ezekiel 12:2. "When I brake the five loaves among five thousand." (8:19) - Jesus is referring to the time He fed five thousand people on just five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-13). "The seven among four thousand." (8:20) - A reference to the four thousand people Jesus fed in this passage and in Matthew 15:32-38 with just seven loaves of bread and a few fish. "Besought him." (8:22) - 'Begged Him". "He asked him if he saw ought." (8:23) - "He asked him if he could see anything." "I see men as trees, walking." (8:24) - Although he could make out vague shapes, the blind man's vision was still blurred. "He was restored." (8:25) - The blind will see, as predicted in Isaiah 35:5 seven hundred years earlier. This was not the only time Jesus gave sight to the blind (Matthew 9:27-30). |
An additional account of the leaven of the Pharisees can be found in Matthew 16:1-12 (lesson 32).
New Living Translation
Mark: 8:1-26
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand
1 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,
2 "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat.
3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance."
4 His disciples replied, "How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?"
5 Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?"
"Seven loaves," they replied.
6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.
7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.
8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.
9 There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.
10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.
Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign
11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign."
13 So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.
Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
14 But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat.
15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod."
16 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread.
17 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?
18 'You have eyes-can't you see? You have ears-can't you hear?' Don't you remember anything at all?
19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?"
"Twelve," they said.
20 "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?"
"Seven," they said.
21 "Don't you understand yet?" he asked them.
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him.
23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?"
24 The man looked around. "Yes," he said, "I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around."
25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.
26 Jesus sent him away, saying, "Don't go back into the village on your way home."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand
1 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,
2 "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat.
3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance."
4 His disciples replied, "How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?"
5 Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?"
"Seven loaves," they replied.
6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.
7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.
8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.
9 There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.
10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.
Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign
11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign."
13 So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.
Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
14 But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat.
15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod."
16 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread.
17 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?
18 'You have eyes-can't you see? You have ears-can't you hear?' Don't you remember anything at all?
19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?"
"Twelve," they said.
20 "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?"
"Seven," they said.
21 "Don't you understand yet?" he asked them.
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him.
23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?"
24 The man looked around. "Yes," he said, "I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around."
25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.
26 Jesus sent him away, saying, "Don't go back into the village on your way home."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets." (8:6-8)
"Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" (8:18)
"And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." (8:23-25)
"Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" (8:18)
"And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." (8:23-25)
Today's Question:
1. Was Jesus upset with His disciples? (8:21)
Let us know your suggestions on improving these lessons.
1. Was Jesus upset with His disciples? (8:21)
Let us know your suggestions on improving these lessons.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Yes, in verses 8:17-21 Jesus asked His disciples a series of questions that showed His disappointment in them. His
questions centered around the intellect, heart, eyes, ears, and memory of His followers. Jesus rebuked His disciples for focusing on worldly, and not spiritual, things. Things of this life were not what His disciples needed to focus on. Like a father frustrated with his children, Jesus was disappointed that His twelve disciples were still not grasping the higher truths He was teaching them.
Jesus also showed disappointment in Matthew 17:17 and Luke 9:41 when He asked, "how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?"
Application thought for the day:
Jesus knew people would collapse on the road if He sent them home hungry (8:3). Out of compassion, He fed them. Jesus also knows our needs, even the ones we aren't aware of yet. Make finding the kingdom of God your first priority, and all your needs will be taken care of (Matthew 6:31-33).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2025 evolke