The people ate and were satisfiedThis phrase highlights the miraculous provision of Jesus, reminiscent of God's provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16). The satisfaction of the people signifies not only physical fulfillment but also spiritual nourishment, pointing to Jesus as the Bread of Life (
John 6:35). The miracle occurs in a predominantly Gentile region, suggesting the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry and foreshadowing the spread of the Gospel to all nations (
Matthew 28:19).
and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over
The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical literature, indicating the abundance of God's provision. The use of baskets, likely large Gentile-style baskets (spyris), contrasts with the smaller Jewish baskets (kophinos) used in the feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6:43), emphasizing the different cultural contexts. This act of gathering leftovers underscores the importance of stewardship and the idea that God's blessings are not to be wasted. It also reflects the theme of Jesus as the provider who exceeds expectations, aligning withEphesians 3:20, which speaks of God doing immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in the Gospel of Mark, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. In this passage, He demonstrates His divine provision.
2.
The DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His miracles. They are tasked with distributing the food and collecting the leftovers.
3.
The CrowdA large group of people who have been following Jesus, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles. They are the recipients of the miraculous feeding.
4.
The Miracle of FeedingThis event is one of the miraculous feedings performed by Jesus, showcasing His compassion and divine power to provide abundantly.
5.
The Seven BasketsSymbolic of the abundance and completeness of God's provision, as seven often represents completeness in biblical numerology.
Teaching Points
Divine ProvisionJesus provides for our needs abundantly, both physically and spiritually. Trust in His provision even when resources seem scarce.
God's AbundanceThe leftover baskets signify that God's blessings are not just sufficient but abundant. Reflect on areas in your life where God has provided more than enough.
Role of DiscipleshipThe disciples' role in distributing and collecting teaches us about participating in God's work. Consider how you can be an active participant in God's mission today.
Satisfaction in ChristThe crowd's satisfaction points to the deeper satisfaction found in Christ. Seek fulfillment in Him rather than in worldly pursuits.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 8:8?
2.How does Mark 8:8 demonstrate God's provision in our daily lives today?
3.What lessons on gratitude can we learn from Mark 8:8's "satisfied"?
4.How does Mark 8:8 connect with God's provision in Exodus 16:12?
5.In what ways can we apply the abundance in Mark 8:8 to our faith?
6.How can Mark 8:8 inspire us to trust God in times of need?
7.How does Mark 8:8 reflect Jesus' ability to provide abundantly for physical needs?
8.What is the significance of the number of baskets collected in Mark 8:8?
9.How does Mark 8:8 demonstrate the disciples' role in Jesus' ministry?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 8?
11.What miracles did Jesus perform according to the Bible?
12.What miracles did Jesus perform according to the Bible?
13.Did Jesus allow his disciples to keep a staff on their journey? Yes (Mark 6:8) No (Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3)
14.In Mark 8:14-21, why do the disciples still misunderstand Jesus' power after already witnessing miracles?What Does Mark 8:8 Mean
The people ateJesus had just “took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples” (Mark 8:6). The crowd literally put food into their mouths.
• Like Israel receiving daily manna (Exodus 16:15), God again meets bodily needs.
•Matthew 14:20 andMark 6:42 record the earlier feeding of five thousand; the repeated provision underscores that Christ is no one-time helper.
•Matthew 4:4 reminds us that “man shall not live on bread alone,” so every meal from His hand also points to the greater nourishment of God’s Word.
and were satisfiedMark emphasizes the result: contented, filled people.
•Psalm 145:16, “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing,” frames this scene as a fulfillment of God’s habit of generosity.
•John 6:35 connects the physical to the spiritual—“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger.” The miracle previews the complete satisfaction found in Christ Himself.
•Isaiah 55:2 calls people to “delight in abundance,” and here that promise is tasted.
and the disciples picked upJesus involves His followers in both serving and stewarding.
• After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus said, “Gather the pieces that are left over so that nothing will be wasted” (John 6:12). The same principle applies here: be faithful managers (1 Corinthians 4:2).
•Proverbs 12:27 commends diligence; the disciples learn that ministry includes cleanup, not just distribution.
seven basketfulsThe number seven, often linked with completeness (Revelation 1:4), nods to God’s perfect sufficiency.
•Matthew 15:37 repeats the count in a parallel account, confirming the detail.
•Deuteronomy 7:1 mentions “seven nations” occupying Canaan; Jesus, teaching in largely Gentile Decapolis territory, signals that His provision extends beyond Israel to the nations in full measure.
of broken piecesWhat looks fragmented still carries value in Jesus’ economy.
• At the Last Supper He “broke the bread” (Mark 14:22), declaring His body given for us; brokenness becomes blessing.
•1 Corinthians 10:16-17 uses broken bread to picture the one body of Christ nourishing many.
that were left over.God’s supply exceeds the immediate demand.
•2 Kings 4:44—Elisha feeds a hundred men and “they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD”—foreshadows this overflow.
•Ephesians 3:20 praises Him who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” a truth the leftovers illustrate.
•2 Corinthians 9:8 promises “all sufficiency in everything,” so believers can abound in every good work.
summaryMark 8:8 shows Jesus meeting real hunger, filling every stomach, and still providing abundance to spare. The disciples learn stewardship, the crowd experiences satisfaction, and the seven baskets quietly shout that Christ’s provision is complete and overflowing for Jew and Gentile alike. He feeds, He fills, and He furnishes more than enough—physically, spiritually, eternally.
(8)
Broken meat.--Better,
fragments.Seven baskets.--See Note onMatthew 15:37.
Verse 8. -
And they did eat, and were filled (
ἐχορτάσθησαν). Wycliffe renders it, "were fulfilled;" according to the original meaning of "to fulfill," namely, "to fill full."
Andthey took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets - as many as there were loaves. In the record of the other similar miracle, the number of baskets corresponded to the number of the disciples. Here, as in the former miracle, far more food remained after all were fed than the original supply on which our Lord exercised his miraculous power; for each basket would contain much more than one loaf. The Greek word here rendered "basket" (
σπυρίς) is a different word from that used for "basket" in the record of the other miracle (
Mark 6:43). There it is
κόφινος. The
κόφινος was a hand-basket of stout wicker-work. The was a much larger basket, made of a more flexible material, perhaps "rushes," like our "frail." It was by means of such a basket, called in
Acts 9:25σπυρίς, but
σαργάνη in
2 Corinthians 11:33, that St. Paul was let down through a window at Damascus. This supplies another evidence, if it were needed, that these two recorded miracles took place on different occasions. Cornelius a Lapido mentions an opinion that the
σπυρίς was double the size of the
κόφινος, a large basket carried by two.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[The people] ateἔφαγον(ephagon)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5315:A primary verb; to eat.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.were satisfied,ἐχορτάσθησαν(echortasthēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5526:To feed, satisfy, fatten. From chortos; to fodder, i.e. to gorge.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[the disciples] picked upἦραν(ēran)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 142:To raise, lift up, take away, remove.sevenἑπτὰ(hepta)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2033:Seven. A primary number; seven.basketfulsσπυρίδας(spyridas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4711:A plaited basket. From speiro; a hamper or lunch-receptacle.of broken piecesκλασμάτων(klasmatōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2801:A fragment, broken piece. From klao; a piece.that were left over.περισσεύματα(perisseumata)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4051:Abundance, overflow. From perisseuo; a surplus, or superabundance.
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NT Gospels: Mark 8:8 They ate and were filled (Mar Mk Mr) 
