Mark 6:41
What does Mark 6:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 6:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 6:41 means
Mark 6:41 describes Jesus taking the five loaves and two fishes, looking up to heaven, blessing them, breaking the loaves, and giving them to the disciples to set before the people; he divided the fishes among them. The actions are sacramental: prayerful dependence on the Father, blessing, and sharing. Jesus involves the disciples in distribution, teaching stewardship and participation. The miracle is both divine and communal: God multiplies what is offered in faith. The verse combines devotion (looking up and blessing) with practical generosity, modeling ministry that unites worship and service.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing over them; and when the cakes were broken, he gave them to the disciples to put before the people; and he made division of the two fishes among them all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, having looked up to the heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves, and was giving to his disciples, that they may set before them, and the two fishes divided he to all,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes: looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave to his disciples to set before them: and the two fishes he divided among them all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave [them] to his disciples that they might set [them] before them. And the two fishes he divided among all.
Context
This verse follows the seating arrangement (verse 40) and is the pivotal moment of the feeding miracle. It shows Jesus’ role as mediator—prayer, blessing, breaking—before the multiplication occurs. The disciples’ involvement in distributing the food links this event to their prior commissioning and learning. The act precedes the outcome—everyone eating and being filled (verses 42–44)—and underscores the link between worshipful dependence and miraculous provision.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 4:4
For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:
- Mark 14:22
And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is my body.
- Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Matthew 26:26
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Samuel 9:13
As soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him.
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