Devine Scripture

Mark 6:37

What does Mark 6:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:37 means

Mark 6:37 captures Jesus’ challenging reply: “Give ye them to eat.” He turns the problem back to the disciples to test their faith and obedience. Their stunned question about buying bread for so many shows their limited resources and imagination. Jesus’ demand invites them into participating in the miracle rather than outsourcing responsibility. It’s a teaching moment: Jesus will use meager means to perform abundant provision, and the disciples must learn to rely on him. The verse confronts human scarcity with divine command and possibility.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But 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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But 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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he said to them in answer, Give them food yourselves. And they said to him, Are we to go and get bread for two hundred pence, and give it to them?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he answering said to them, `Give ye them to eat,' and they say to him, `Having gone away, may we buy two hundred denaries' worth of loaves, and give to them to eat?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he answering said to them: Give you them to eat. And they said to him: Let us go and buy bread for two hundred pence, and we will give them to eat.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he answering said to them, Give ye them to eat. And they say to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them to eat?

Context

This verse follows the disciples’ plan to send the crowd away (verse 36) and initiates the feeding sequence. Jesus’ response reframes the logistical dilemma as a spiritual test and opportunity for participation. The scene leads into the disciples’ calculation of resources (verse 38), the multiplication of loaves and fishes, and the larger lesson about Christ’s provision and discipleship in mission.

v.36send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat.

v.37This passage

v.38And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Kings 4:42

    And there came a man from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

  • Matthew 15:32

    And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

  • 2 Kings 7:2

    Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

  • Numbers 11:13

    Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

  • Matthew 14:16

    But Jesus said unto them, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.

  • Numbers 11:21

    And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

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