Devine Scripture

Mark 8:5

What does Mark 8:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 8:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 8:5 means

Jesus directly asked His disciples about the amount of bread they possessed. Their reply, "Seven," immediately shifts the focus from the problem's magnitude to the resources at hand, however meager they seemed. This question serves to involve the disciples directly in the solution and sets the stage for the miraculous multiplication, emphasizing the principle of presenting what little they had to Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he put the question, How much bread have you? And they said, Seven cakes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he was questioning them, `How many loaves have ye?' and they said, `Seven.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Context

This verse marks a turning point in the feeding narrative, moving from the problem and the disciples' doubt to a practical assessment. It follows the disciples' expression of helplessness and precedes Jesus' command to the multitude to sit down, initiating the process through which Jesus would demonstrate His power to provide.

v.4And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?

v.5This passage

v.6And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 9:13

    But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

  • Matthew 14:15

    And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.

  • Mark 6:38

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

  • Matthew 15:34

    And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.

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