Devine Scripture

Mark 6:36

What does Mark 6:36 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:36 means

Mark 6:36 records the disciples’ pragmatic solution: send the crowd away into surrounding villages and countryside to buy food. They see dispersal as sensible—self-sufficiency for the crowd—so Jesus can dismiss them. The disciples' recommendation is reasonable but reveals their expectation of limited means. The verse underscores human inclination to rely on conventional options rather than expect supernatural provision. It sets the stage for Jesus’ rebuke and demonstration of divine abundance, teaching the disciples to think missionally with trust rather than defaulting to logistical convenience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Send them away, so that they may go into the country and small towns round about, and get some food for themselves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

let them away, that, having gone away to the surrounding fields and villages, they may buy to themselves loaves, for what they may eat they have not.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Send them away, that going into the next villages and towns, they may buy themselves meat to eat.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

send them away that they may go into the country and villages around, and buy themselves bread, for they have not anything they can eat.

Context

Following Jesus’ teaching and the disciples’ concern about the time (verse 35), this verse gives the immediate, human response to the problem of feeding a large crowd. The suggestion prepares the dramatic confrontation with Jesus’ directive in verse 37—“Give ye them to eat”—which challenges human planning and invites trust in God’s provision. The context sets up the miracle to teach about Christ’s provision and the disciples’ learning curve.

v.35And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent;

v.36This passage

v.37But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred shillings’ worth of bread, and give them to eat?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 5:31

    And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

  • Matthew 15:23

    But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

  • Mark 3:21

    And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

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