Mark 8:1
- This is the second time that Jesus performs a “food miracle”. The first is described in Mark 6:30-44.
- The last feast was among Jews, but this time it is on Gentile territory, signaling Jesus’ intention to spread the kingdom of God among the Gentiles as well.
Mark 8:2
- Many people had come from far away and sacrificed a lot to listen to Jesus’ teaching.
- Jesus teaches the people about spiritual matters but is also concerned about their physical well-being. A person cannot do without one or the other.
- If a person comes to Jesus for spiritual food, Jesus will also give worldly food. Whoever seeks the kingdom of God will also receive all the rest (Matthew 6:33).
Mark 8:4
- Jesus knows very well how to solve the food shortage, so Jesus’ statement becomes a test to see if the disciples have learned anything from Jesus in the past.
- In the same way, today we should let our past experiences of answering prayer strengthen our faith for what God can do today.
- It is very strange that the disciples do not remember that Jesus has previously performed a miracle by turning two loaves of bread and five fish into food for 5,000 men. However, Mark writes in chapter 6: “they had not understood this about the loaves. Their hearts were hard.” (Mark 6:52).
Mark 8:6
- Even if the disciples did not have much, Jesus was able to transform their little resources so that there was enough for everyone, and moreover, there was enough left over.
- In the same way, today we can give what little we have to God and let him transform it into something great.