Mark 8:1-13 | Session 29 | Mark Rightly Divided
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Mark 8:1-9 | The Feeding Of The 4,000
Verse 1-3 -
Matthew 15:32-39 also records this event. All four Gospels speak of the feeding of the 5,000, a distinct event.
In these verses, Jesus displays and expresses his compassion for the multitude's physical needs. The fact that they have stayed with Him for three days is a testament to their devotion to Jesus and shows a great deal of expectation on their part. The size of the crowd, mentioned in verse 9, indicates that this was no ordinary gathering. It was an event that would garner significant attention in any time or age, even in today's largest media markets. This reinforces what Mark has been trying to convey throughout his Gospel - that Jesus was perhaps the most famous man on earth at the time.
After three days, it's clear that any food provisions that the crowd initially brought with them or were able to source nearby had been exhausted. Jesus, recognizing their situation, did not want to send them away "fasting," or hungry. This was not only a display of His compassion but also a practical concern for their health. Sending a large crowd away hungry, especially considering the fact that some of them had come from far and would have a long journey home, could result in them fainting or suffering from other health issues due to lack of nourishment.
It's interesting, and perhaps even disingenuous, that those teaching fasting as a spiritual discipline often overlook Mark 8:3. This verse shows Jesus' practical concern for the physical well-being of the crowd, suggesting that physical health should not be neglected in favor of modern teachings concerning spiritual growth.
The statement that “for divers of them came from far” (v. 3), offers interesting insights on the Gospel of Mark's composition. The question arises: are these words of Jesus, as implied by the red-letter edition, or are they the author's commentary? It's plausible that the apostles would have known after three days that some of the crowd had traveled from afar. Why would Jesus state the obvious? Moreover, if this is Mark's commentary, what other comments are attributed to Jesus in red letters when they may not actually be his words? This serves as a reminder to scrutinize the red letters of the red-letter edition. They are not part of God's revelation, but a modern invention, sometimes helpful and sometimes misleading.
Verse 4 -
This verse presents a striking contrast between the compassion of Jesus (v. 2) and what might be perceived as the cold-hearted practicality of the disciples. Particularly when considered in light of the feeding of the 5,000 that had previously taken place, it might seem surprising that the disciples would question where they could possibly find enough bread to feed such a large crowd in a desolate place.
One could interpret this as skepticism on the part of the disciples. However, considering all they had seen and the commitments they had made to follow Jesus, it may not be fair to read skepticism into their response. Instead, this could be viewed as an invitation for Jesus to perform the miraculous. Their question could, in fact, be a statement packed with faith, essentially saying, "We know this situation is beyond our natural means to handle, so what do you suggest?"
Their question may not be one of doubt, but one of anticipation, awaiting Jesus' solution to the seemingly impossible situation at hand. This interpretation paints the disciples not as doubters, but as believers acknowledging that the solution lies beyond human capacity and rests solely in the hands of Jesus.
Verse 5 -
In addition to the seven loaves, which I interpret as reality rather than symbolic, there were "a few small fishes" (v. 7). These would form the basis of the meal.
Verses 6-8 -
Once again, if the seven baskets of leftovers mean anything, it is not revealed in the text. The text does reveal that "they did eat and were filled" (v. 8), which was quite a feat considering several days presumably without a substantial meal. Matthew 15:37 also records that the people were filled, which likely is a point that should not be missed. The miracles of Jesus, especially when related to provision, are often noted by their abundance (turning water to wine, feeding of 5,000, the great catch of fish, etc).
Verse 9 -
Mark notes that there were "about four thousand." Matthew adds, "beside women and children." It is still the practice of Jewish synagogues to count "families" rather than individuals, as most Christian churches do. This difference in counting significantly increases the actual number of people fed with the loaves and fishes.
It is likely that the counting of individuals is much more a modern phenomenon than one might consider, since ancient societies often structured their censuses and records around units of organization such as families, households, or males eligible for military service and religious duties, reflecting the administrative, social, and religious priorities of those times. This approach was practical for the needs of ancient communities, focusing on the collective units that composed the society rather than on individual members, a concept that has evolved significantly with the advent of modern state governance, demographic studies, and individual rights awareness, leading to the comprehensive individual counts we are familiar with today.
The Pharisees Seek a Sign (Mark 8:10-13)
Verse 10 -
Jesus had been on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (Mk. 7:31) before he boarded a ship and arrived at "the parts of Dalmanutha." The exact location of Dalmanutha is unknown to us, but two details suggest its general area. Firstly, it must be on the western side of the sea. Secondly, Matthew 15:39, which concludes the story of the feeding of the 4,000, mentions that they arrived at "the coasts of Magdala," located on the southwest coast of the sea. The name Dalmanutha is likely a regional name that has been lost to history.
Verse 11 -
Jesus is back in "Pharisee country," where they quickly approach Him, seeking a sign and attempting to tempt Him. Jesus, naturally, was always able to discern between manipulative questions and genuine interest. He consistently refused to engage in their games.
Verse 12 -
In Mark 8:12, when Jesus asks, "Why doth this generation seek after a sign?", the context suggests He is responding directly to the Pharisees who had just asked Him for a sign from heaven to test Him (Mark 8:11). The term "generation" in this instance, while broadly referring to the people living at that time, is more specifically targeted at the skeptical and demanding attitude of the Pharisees and similar groups within the Jewish society of Jesus' day.
The Pharisees, who were religious leaders, often demanded signs from Jesus as a way to challenge His authority and authenticity. Jesus' response indicates frustration not just with the immediate request but with the persistent unbelief and opposition He faced from such groups. The demand for a sign from heaven, despite the numerous miracles Jesus had already performed, highlighted their refusal to believe in Him based on the evidence already provided.
In other instances in the Gospels, Jesus performs miracles not as a direct response to demands for signs but as acts of compassion, teaching, and to reveal His identity as the Messiah. For example, His miracles of healing, feeding the multitudes, and calming the storm were primarily responses to human need or opportunities to teach about the Kingdom of God, rather than direct answers to demands for proof of His divine authority.
Therefore, when Jesus speaks of "this generation" seeking a sign, He is critiquing the hard-heartedness and unbelief of those like the Pharisees, who, despite witnessing His works, remain unwilling to accept Him as the Messiah. This contrasts with individuals and groups who demonstrate faith in Jesus or who seek Him out of genuine need, to whom He often responds with compassion and miraculous intervention.
There are several examples of individuals seeking Jesus for miraculous assistance in a positive context, including these examples:
The Centurion's Servant (Matthew 8:5-6): "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented."
The Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:26): "The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter."
Jairus for His Daughter (Mark 5:23): "And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live."
The Father of the Demon-Possessed Boy (Mark 9:17-18): "And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not."
The Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47): "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."
The Leper (Luke 5:12): "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
Jesus, seeing through the Pharisees' thinly veiled agenda, responded sternly, "There shall no sign be given unto this generation." It's important to note that Jesus was addressing the Pharisees directly when He made this statement. He was expressing His frustration with their stubborn unbelief and constant demands for signs, even though they had already witnessed numerous miracles.
However, this statement should not be interpreted as Jesus declaring that He would no longer perform miracles. In fact, Jesus continued to perform many miracles after this encounter, demonstrating His power and compassion. Beyond His earthly ministry, Jesus' followers performed "signs" in His name, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament writings.
What Jesus was refusing was not the act of performing miracles, but the act of performing miracles as a response to the Pharisees' insincere challenges and tests. He would not allow His divine power and mission to be reduced to a spectacle for the satisfaction of skeptics and opponents. His miracles were revelations of His identity, not mere responses to those who demanded proof of His authority.
In other words, He refused to cast His pearls before swine.
We should include a note about the parallel passage, Matthew 16:4, in which it is recorded that they would only get “the sign of the prophet Jonas.” Since this is a study of Mark and not Matthew, we will refrain from an in-depth study of the possibilities of what this sign of Jonas is. It could be the resurrection, or it could even be a reference to something long-past as a means of saying, “If you want signs, read your Scriptures.”
Verse 13 -
A common question arises, "Why doesn't Jesus ever stay put?" While the scripture doesn't specify, there are likely two factors involved. First, there could have been some time lapse between verses 12 and 13. Second, Jesus was, in a way, "on the run," trying to avoid an early arrest.
