Mark 6:37
But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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When Jesus tells his disciples to "give them something to eat," he's not just assigning a task, but revealing their inadequacy and pointing them to His divine power. Their immediate, practical response—"Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread?"—reveals their utter lack of faith in His ability to provide for such a multitude, focusing on financial limitations rather than His limitless resources.
After a busy period of ministry, Jesus tries to lead his disciples away to a quiet place for rest, but a large crowd follows them. Seeing their need and the shepherdless state of the multitude, Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion, and he begins to teach them. As evening approaches, the disciples recognize the immense logistical problem of feeding so many people in a remote area and suggest sending them away to buy food.
Facing an overwhelming need, the disciples immediately jumped to what they could do. But Jesus had a different perspective.
When Jesus told the disciples, 'You give them something to eat,' He wasn't asking them to perform a miracle. He was testing their faith and highlighting their limited perspective. Their immediate response, 'Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread?', reveals their reliance on human logic and financial capacity. Two hundred denarii was a significant sum – likely representing a full day's wage for each of the disciples! It was a realistic, yet insufficient, calculation for feeding a crowd of thousands. This moment shows us how easily we can get stuck in 'what seems possible' rather than trusting in God's 'what is impossible for man, but not for God.'
Jesus saw the crowd and was 'moved with compassion.' But what did that compassion truly cost Him, and what does it demand of us?
The passage highlights Jesus' deep compassion for the crowd, seeing them 'as sheep not having a shepherd.' This wasn't just a fleeting emotion; it was a powerful motivation that drove His actions. His response, 'You give them something to eat,' wasn't about simply feeding bodies; it was about demonstrating God's provision and care. It also points to a future, greater act of compassion: Jesus Himself becoming the Bread of Life, broken for the world. The disciples’ focus on the cost of the bread (two hundred denarii) misses the true value and purpose of the meal. True compassion often requires a willingness to give generously, trusting that God will multiply what is offered.
Understand the original words
dēnárion · Greek Noun
A unit of Roman currency, typically representing a standard day's wage for a laborer. It serves as a benchmark for value and labor in the New Testament.
artos · Greek Noun
The fundamental staple food of the ancient Near East, symbolizing God's provision for physical sustenance and, metaphorically, spiritual life and the person of Christ.
didōmi · Greek Verb
The act of providing or distributing resources; in a theological context, it often points to the responsibility of believers to care for others as an extension of God’s own compassionate care.
The disciples' question about buying bread reveals their practical limitations and their lack of faith in Jesus' ability to provide for the massive crowd, highlighting the contrast between human inadequacy and divine power.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus' public ministry in the region of Galilee, marked by teaching, healing, and gathering large crowds of followers, is the overarching context for this event.
c. AD 28-30
Disciples' Return from Mission
The disciples have just returned from an intensive mission trip where they performed miracles. They are exhausted and seeking rest.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Withdraws to a Deserted Place
Jesus and his disciples attempt to find a private place to rest, but are followed by a large crowd.
c. AD 28-30
Compassion for the Multitude
Jesus sees the great crowd and is moved with compassion, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, and begins to teach them.
c. AD 28-30
This passage recounts the same miracle of feeding the five thousand, but from a different perspective, highlighting Jesus' direct questioning of Philip about purchasing bread and the disciples' calculation of the impossibility of doing so.
2 Kings 4:42-44This Old Testament account of Elisha feeding a hundred men with twenty loaves of barley bread and some ears of grain serves as a significant precursor, demonstrating God's power to multiply scarce resources through His prophets.
Matthew 14:15-21Matthew's Gospel also details this feeding miracle, emphasizing Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd and His disciples' initial suggestion to send the people away to buy food, paralleling the sentiment in Mark 6:37.
Exodus 16:14-21This passage describes God miraculously providing manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, illustrating God's consistent care for His people's physical needs even in desolate circumstances, a theme echoed in Jesus' provision.
pooleMark 6:37: "He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?"
See Poole on "Mark 6:35"
bengelMark 6:37: "He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?"
Mark 6:37 . Ἀγοράσωμεν , are we to buy ) The disciples intimate, by this question, that there is on their part no want of the will, both to give their exertion in going away, and their money, as much as they had, in buying what was needed; but what is wanting is the ability to satisfy such a multitude. Therefore, in their question, t…
When Jesus tells his disciples to "give them something to eat," he's not just assigning a task, but revealing their inadequacy and pointing them to His divine power. Their immediate, practical response—"Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread?"—reveals their utter lack of faith in His ability to provide for such a multitude, focusing on financial limitations rather than His limitless resources.
After a busy period of ministry, Jesus tries to lead his disciples away to a quiet place for rest, but a large crowd follows them. Seeing their need and the shepherdless state of the multitude, Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion, and he begins to teach them. As evening approaches, the disciples recognize the immense logistical problem of feeding so many people in a remote area and suggest sending them away to buy food.
After a busy period of ministry, Jesus tries to lead his disciples away to a quiet place for rest, but a large crowd follows them. Seeing their need and the shepherdless state of the multitude, Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion, and he begins to teach them. As evening approaches, the disciples recognize the immense logistical problem of feeding so many people in a remote area and suggest sending them away to buy food.
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Evening Arrives, Disciples' Concern
As evening approaches, the disciples express concern about the hungry crowd and the lack of food in the deserted location.
"But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”" — When Jesus tells his disciples to "give them something to eat," he's not just assigning a task, but revealing their inadequacy and pointing them to His divine power. Their immediate, practical respon…
