Mark 8:9 kjv
And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Mark 8:9 nkjv
Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
Mark 8:9 niv
About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away,
Mark 8:9 esv
And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.
Mark 8:9 nlt
There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.
Mark 8 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Provision/Abundance | ||
| Mk 8:8 | They ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of broken pieces that were left. | Immediate context, showing surplus provision. |
| Mk 6:44 | And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. | First feeding miracle's number. |
| Matt 14:21 | And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. | Parallel account of feeding 5000. |
| Matt 15:38 | Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. | Parallel account of feeding 4000. |
| Lk 9:17 | So they ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which were left over they picked up twelve baskets full. | Parallel account of feeding 5000 with surplus. |
| Jn 6:13 | So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves… | Jesus ensures nothing is wasted. |
| Ps 145:15-16 | The eyes of all look to You, And You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand… | God's universal provision for creation. |
| Exod 16:4 | Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you…" | God providing manna in the wilderness. |
| John 6:35 | Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger..." | Jesus as the ultimate provider of sustenance. |
| Deut 8:3 | Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. | Material provision linked to spiritual truth. |
| Matt 6:31-33 | Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?'... Your heavenly Father knows… | Assurance of God's provision for His people. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God's commitment to provide every need. |
| Disciples' Lack of Understanding/Memory | ||
| Mk 8:17-21 | And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread?... Do you not yet understand...?" | Jesus challenges disciples' dullness about the loaves. |
| Mk 6:52 | for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. | Disciples' initial spiritual denseness. |
| Matt 16:9-10 | Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand... or the seven loaves of the four thousand...? | Parallel reminder of the disciples' failure to comprehend. |
| Gentile Inclusion/Universal Ministry | ||
| Mk 7:31-37 | He returned from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. | Geographic context implies Gentile region. |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Prophecy of Messiah's universal salvation. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. | Peter's realization of God's inclusive nature. |
| Rom 10:12 | For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all... | Affirmation of no distinction in salvation. |
| Eph 2:14 | For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier... | Christ unites Jew and Gentile. |
| Col 3:11 | ...a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew... | New identity in Christ transcends ethnic lines. |
| Jesus' Authority & Pastoral Leadership | ||
| Mk 6:45 | Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida... | Jesus sending away disciples for a purpose. |
| Lk 8:38-39 | The man... begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, "Return to your house... | Jesus dismisses for greater good and witness. |
Mark 8 verses
Mark 8 9 Meaning
Mark 8:9 concludes the miraculous feeding of four thousand people, confirming the significant number of those who were fed and immediately noting their dismissal by Jesus. It highlights Jesus' power to provide for large multitudes and His pastoral care in sending them home after the provision. This event follows a similar miraculous feeding and occurs in a predominantly Gentile region, underscoring Jesus' universal compassion.
Mark 8 9 Context
Mark 8:9 concludes the account of Jesus feeding four thousand people (Mark 8:1-9). This miracle closely follows the earlier feeding of five thousand in Mark 6. The setting for this second miracle is significant; Jesus has been ministering in the region of the Decapolis, an area known for its predominantly Gentile population (as inferred from Mk 7:31 where Jesus passed through Sidon to the Decapolis). The crowd had been with Him for three days, indicating their eagerness to hear His teaching and the extent of their physical need. Jesus initiated the feeding out of compassion for the multitude, knowing they were hungry and far from home. This verse wraps up the logistical details of the event, signifying the completion of Jesus' miraculous provision and His orderly dismissal of the gratified crowd, setting the stage for His next movements and discussions with His disciples.
Mark 8 9 Word analysis
- And they that did eat: Greek: hoi phagontes (οἱ φαγόντες). This participial phrase emphasizes the direct recipients of the miracle – those who actively partook of the food. It highlights the vast number of individuals whose hunger was personally satisfied by Jesus. The active verb implies their real engagement in the consumption, not merely a passive observation.
- were about: Greek: ēsan hōs (ἦσαν ὡς). The word hōs (ὡς) signifies an approximation, indicating "approximately" or "about." This suggests the recorder, Mark, is relaying a commonly known number, acknowledging it may not have been a precise count down to the last person, yet affirming it was clearly in the range of four thousand. It indicates a realistic rather than an exaggerated claim.
- four thousand: Greek: tetrakischilioi (τετρακισχίλιοι). This specific large number is a testament to the immense scale of Jesus' miracle. Unlike the symbolic use of numbers in other contexts, here it simply communicates the reality of the numerous recipients. While some associate "four" with universality (four corners of the earth) hinting at the Gentile nature of this crowd, the primary impact is the sheer magnitude of divine provision for a vast multitude. It parallels and yet distinctly contrasts with the earlier feeding of five thousand, signifying Jesus' ongoing and limitless power to provide, extending beyond traditional boundaries.
- and he sent them away: Greek: kai apelysen autous (καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτούς). Apolyo (ἀπολύω) means "to release," "dismiss," or "send away." This action demonstrates Jesus' authority and His pastoral concern. Having met their immediate need, He now takes charge of their dispersal, ensuring their well-being. It signifies the conclusion of His ministry in that specific setting, allowing the fed crowd to return to their homes, implying that the provision was sufficient for their journey. It also sets the stage for Jesus to depart by boat with His disciples immediately afterward.
- Words-group: "And they that did eat were about four thousand": This phrase establishes the scope of the miracle. It underscores Jesus' compassionate power to address mass human need, providing not just sustenance but also satisfaction for a vast multitude. It signifies the tangible and impactful reality of the miracle for a large community, not just a few individuals. This great number highlights the ongoing work of Jesus' kingdom which seeks to care for many.
- Words-group: "and he sent them away": This emphasizes Jesus' control and wisdom in leading the multitude. He provides, then He directs. This shows His active and responsible leadership, caring for their orderly departure. It implies the successful completion of the encounter and that the needs of the people, for now, have been met, enabling them to safely return to their lives.
Mark 8 9 Bonus section
The presence of two separate large-scale feeding miracles in Mark's Gospel (the 5,000 and the 4,000) is significant. Many scholars suggest the distinct numbers and leftover basket counts (12 baskets from 5,000 vs. 7 baskets from 4,000) carry symbolic weight. The twelve baskets are often associated with the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a focus on the Jewish people, while the seven baskets may allude to the seven Gentile nations or the completeness of God's provision for all peoples. This intentional parallelism highlights the comprehensiveness of Jesus' saving work, extending grace and sustenance to both Jews and Gentiles. Mark's deliberate inclusion of both events, even leading to Jesus' direct questioning of His disciples' memory concerning them (Mk 8:17-21), stresses the profound lesson that these miracles teach about Jesus' messianic identity as the Divine Provider, and the broad, inclusive nature of His kingdom.
Mark 8 9 Commentary
Mark 8:9 serves as the final, summary statement of Jesus' second great feeding miracle. It numerically validates the immense scope of the provision – four thousand individuals, plus women and children, implying an even larger total. This act profoundly demonstrated Jesus' boundless power and compassion, reiterating the divine pattern of provision previously seen in the wilderness manna. This feeding, likely involving a Gentile audience due to the geographical context of Decapolis, underscored the universal reach of God's grace and Christ's ministry, extending beyond Israel. The immediate dismissal of the crowd by Jesus highlights His thoughtful pastoral care; having met their most immediate need, He ensures their safe departure. Despite this powerful display, the verse sets a backdrop for the disciples' continued struggle to comprehend Jesus' divine power and identity, a theme explicitly addressed later in the chapter when Jesus challenges their spiritual dullness. The contrast between abundant provision and the disciples' lingering doubts serves as a critical lesson in faith and understanding.