Mark 8:1-21 ▼

1 In those days, when there was a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat, he called the disciples to himself, and said to them,

2 |I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, and some of them have come a long way.|

4 His disciples answered him, |From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?|

5 He asked them, |How many loaves do you have?| They said, |Seven.|

6 He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the crowd.

7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

9 Now they were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.

12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, |Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.|

13 And he left them, and got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

14 Now they forgot to take bread; and they did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

15 He warned them, saying, |Watch out; guard yourselves against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.|

16 And they began discussing among themselves that they had no bread.

17 He, perceiving it, said to them, |Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Do you not perceive yet, neither understand? Are your hearts hardened?

18 Having eyes, do you not see? Having ears, do you not hear? Do you not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?| They told him, |Twelve.|

20 |When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?| And they said, |Seven.|

21 He asked them, |Do you not yet understand?|