Feeding the Four Thousand and the Pharisees' Demand for a Sign
Mark 8:1-13
Mark.8.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- εκειναις: DEM,dat,pl,f
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ημεραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- παλιν: ADV
- πολλου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- οχλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εχοντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- φαγωσιν: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,pl
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·: PRON,pers,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:32-39 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel of the feeding of the four thousand—same scene of a large crowd with nothing to eat and Jesus addressing the disciples to provide for them.
- Mark 6:30-44 (structural): Earlier Markan account of the feeding of the five thousand; shares the structural motif of a large hungry crowd, the disciples' inability to feed them, and Jesus' miraculous provision.
- Matthew 14:14-21 (thematic): Parallel to Mark 6 (feeding of the five thousand) in Matthew—recurrent theme of Jesus' compassion and provision for hungry crowds and the disciples' dependence on him for a solution.
- Luke 9:12-17 (verbal): Lukan parallel to the feeding of the five thousand—same basic narrative elements (crowd, disciples, loaves and fishes) highlighting the motif of miraculous provision.
- John 6:1-14 (thematic): Johannine account of the feeding of the five thousand; while used as a sign in John, it parallels Mark 8:1 in the crowd/food motif and Jesus' miraculous feeding of multitudes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in those days, when there was again a great multitude and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said,
- In those days, when there was again a great crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them.
Mark.8.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Σπλαγχνιζομαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ηδη: ADV
- ημεραι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- προσμενουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- φαγωσιν·: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 15:32 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the feeding of the four thousand; uses the same compassion-motivation for Jesus and mentions the people's prolonged need and lack of food.
- Mark 6:34 (verbal): Earlier feeding episode (the five thousand) that uses the same verb for compassion (σπλαγχνισθείς/σπλαγχνίζομαι); compassion prompts Jesus to teach, heal, and provide for physical needs.
- Matthew 14:14 (thematic): Parallel to Mark 6:34—describes Jesus' compassion toward the crowds and provides the immediate motive for healing and the subsequent feeding miracle.
- John 6:5-13 (structural): Feeding of the five thousand: different details but closely parallels Mark's pattern (Jesus' compassion/concern, questioning about where to buy bread, multiplication of loaves and distribution to the crowd).
Alternative generated candidates
- I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
- “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
Mark.8.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- απολυσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- νηστεις: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εκλυθησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οδω·και: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- μακροθεν: ADV
- ηκασιν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 15:32 (verbal): Direct parallel to the feeding-of-the-4,000 tradition; similar wording about not sending the crowd away fasting because they will faint, and mention that some had come from far.
- Mark 6:36 (verbal): In the feeding-of-the-5,000 scene the disciples propose sending the crowd away to buy food—language and concern about sending people away hungry echo Mark 8:3.
- Luke 9:12 (thematic): At the feeding of the multitude (5,000) the disciples suggest sending people away, and Jesus instead instructs them to feed the crowd—same theme of refusing to dismiss hungry crowds.
- John 6:5-7 (thematic): In the Johannine feeding narrative Jesus asks where to buy bread for the crowd; the disciples’ concern about how to feed or send away the multitude parallels the practical problem expressed in Mark 8:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- If I send them away fasting to their homes, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from far off.
- If I send them away fasting to their homes, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from far.”
Mark.8.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- απεκριθησαν: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ποθεν: ADV
- τουτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- δυνησεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ωδε: ADV
- χορτασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αρτων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- επ᾽ερημιας: PREP
Parallels
- Mark 6:36 (verbal): In the earlier feeding of the 5,000 the disciples similarly ask where they can buy bread for the crowd—same concern and near-identical phrasing.
- Matthew 14:16 (structural): Matthew’s account of the 5,000 feeding preserves the parallel dialogue (’They have no bread…’) and serves as a structural counterpart to Mark’s 8:4 scene.
- John 6:7 (verbal): Philip objects that even two hundred denarii worth of bread would be insufficient—another instance of the disciples’ practical doubt about providing bread for a crowd.
- Matthew 15:32-36 (thematic): Matthew’s account of the 4,000 feeding parallels Mark 8’s setting and problem (crowd hungry in a desolate place) and includes the disciples’ similar concern about where to get bread.
Alternative generated candidates
- And his disciples answered him, 'From where can anyone satisfy these people with bread here in a desolate place?'
- And his disciples answered him, “How can anyone satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”
Mark.8.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηρωτα: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους·Ποσους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπαν·Επτα: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Mark 6:38 (verbal): Same question in the feeding-of-the-5,000 narrative: Jesus asks, 'How many loaves have ye?' (prompting them to check their supply).
- Matthew 15:34 (verbal): Direct parallel to Mark 8:5 in the feeding-of-the-4,000 account; the disciples answer 'Seven' (and a few little fishes) as in Mark.
- Mark 8:6 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Jesus takes the seven loaves, gives thanks and breaks them — showing how the seven loaves are used in the miracle.
- John 6:9 (thematic): Parallel feeding tradition: a small number of loaves (a boy's five barley loaves) and fishes are offered to Jesus, highlighting the motif of scarcity transformed by Jesus' blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he asked them, 'How many loaves do you have?' They said, 'Seven.' Then he commanded the people to sit down.
- And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.”
Mark.8.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παραγγελλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- οχλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αναπεσειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης·και: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ευχαριστησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εκλασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εδιδου: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- παρατιθωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- παρεθηκαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- οχλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:36 (structural): Parallel account of the feeding of the four thousand: same sequence and elements — he took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, gave to the disciples to set before the crowd.
- Mark 6:41 (verbal): Feeding of the five thousand in Mark uses the same verbal formula (took the loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and gave to the disciples) reflecting a repeated narrative pattern.
- John 6:11 (verbal): John’s account of the five thousand employs similar wording — Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them — linking the feeding tradition across Gospels.
- Luke 22:19 (allusion): The Lord’s Supper formula (took bread, gave thanks, broke it) echoes the same actions and language, suggesting Eucharistic significance to Jesus’ breaking and giving of bread.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he took the seven loaves and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and they set them before the people.
- And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and they set them before the people.
Mark.8.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ιχθυδια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ολιγα·και: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ευλογησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- παρατιθεναι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 15:36 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel to Mark 8:7 in the feeding of the 4,000 — Jesus blesses the loaves and commands they be distributed.
- Mark 6:41 (verbal): Feeding of the 5,000: Jesus blesses (looks up, gives thanks), breaks the loaves and has them distributed — similar sequence of blessing and provision.
- Matthew 14:19 (verbal): Parallel account of the 5,000 where Jesus blesses and breaks the loaves before giving them to the disciples for distribution.
- John 6:11 (thematic): John’s feeding tradition: Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks (echoing ‘blessed’), and distributes them — echoes the eucharistic/thanksgiving language and distribution motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they had a few small fish; and he blessed them and commanded that these also be set before them.
- And they had a few small fish. He blessed them also
Mark.8.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εφαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εχορτασθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- περισσευματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- κλασματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- σπυριδας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Matthew 15:37 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the feeding of the 4,000; likewise records that seven baskets of fragments were gathered.
- Mark 6:43 (verbal): Parallel feeding miracle (of the 5,000) in the same Gospel; similar wording about gathering leftovers but with twelve baskets—highlights numeric and event contrast.
- Matthew 14:20 (structural): Parallel to the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew, noting the gathering of twelve baskets and serving as a structural counterpart to the 4,000 miracle in Matthew 15/Mark 8.
- John 6:12-13 (verbal): John's account of the 5,000 feeding explicitly mentions the disciples collecting twelve baskets of fragments, echoing the motif of gathering leftovers after a miraculous meal.
- Luke 9:17 (thematic): Luke's parallel to the 5,000 feeding that likewise reports the collection of twelve baskets, thematically linked to Mark 8:8 by the motif of abundance and collection of leftovers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.
- and they ate and were satisfied; and they gathered up seven baskets of broken pieces and of the fish.
Mark.8.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- τετρακισχιλιοι: NUM,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- απελυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:32-39 (verbal): Direct Gospel parallel of the feeding of the four thousand; Matthew records the same summary (about four thousand) and the dismissal of the crowds.
- Mark 6:44 (verbal): Earlier Markan feeding miracle uses the same summary formula (those who ate were about five thousand), showing Mark’s recurring numeric-summary/verbal pattern after feedings.
- Matthew 14:21-22 (structural): Feeding of the five thousand with a similar sequence—miraculous provision, accounting of those fed, and the subsequent dismissal/disciples’ departure—mirroring the structure of Mark 8:9.
- John 6:10-14 (thematic): John’s account of the feeding miracle (five thousand) echoes the same theme of divine provision, crowd satisfaction, and a numerical summary, paralleling the motif in Mark 8:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- And those who ate were about four thousand; and he sent them away.
- And those who had eaten were about four thousand.
Mark.8.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευθυς: ADV
- εμβας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πλοιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μερη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- Δαλμανουθα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 15:39 (quotation): Direct parallel narrative: after feeding the four thousand Jesus gets into a boat and goes to the region called Magadan/Magdala (same event/location as Mark 8:10).
- Mark 6:45 (verbal): Similar phrasing and motif—Jesus immediately sends/enters the boat with his disciples to cross to another place (after a feeding miracle), echoing the movement in Mark 8:10.
- Matthew 14:22 (verbal): Parallel scene of Jesus making the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him across the sea (occurs after the feeding of the five thousand), reflecting the recurring boat-crossing motif.
- John 6:22 (thematic): The crowd finds Jesus on the other side of the sea after a feeding miracle; thematically related to the pattern of crossings and arrivals following Jesus' miracles in Mark 8:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
- Then he sent the crowd away, and immediately he entered the boat with his disciples and came into the district of Dalmanutha.
Mark.8.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- εξηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ηρξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- συζητειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ζητουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- παρ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- πειραζοντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 16:1-4 (verbal): Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus; Matthew preserves a very similar episode and wording about asking for a heavenly sign.
- Matthew 12:38 (thematic): Scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign as proof of his authority; thematically parallels the Pharisees’ demand in Mark 8:11.
- Luke 11:16 (verbal): Luke notes others testing Jesus by seeking a sign from heaven, echoing the language and intent found in Mark 8:11.
- John 6:30 (thematic): After Jesus’ feeding signs, the crowd asks, 'What sign then do you do?'—another instance of demand for miraculous proof, thematically akin to Mark 8:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Pharisees came and began to question him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, to test him.
- And the Pharisees came and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him.
Mark.8.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αναστεναξας: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,m,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λεγει·Τι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γενεα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- ζητει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αμην: PART
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δοθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- γενεα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ταυτη: PRO,dat,sg,f
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 12:39 (verbal): Jesus rebukes 'an evil and adulterous generation' for seeking a sign and says no sign will be given—very close wording and same rebuke motif.
- Matthew 16:4 (verbal): Parallel saying that this generation will be given no sign except the sign of Jonah; echoes Mark's declaration that no sign will be given.
- Luke 11:29-30 (verbal): Luke records the crowd seeking a sign and Jesus' reply that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah—same core response and language.
- John 6:30-31 (thematic): The crowd asks Jesus 'What sign do you show us?' and Jesus criticizes seeking signs from him—same theme of demand for miraculous proof.
- John 2:18 (thematic): Jewish leaders ask Jesus for a sign to justify his actions; parallels the motif of skeptical interlocutors demanding a sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'
- And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”
Mark.8.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αφεις: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- παλιν: ADV
- εμβας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- απηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- περαν: PREP
Parallels
- Mark 6:45-46 (verbal): Similar boat-crossing language: Jesus compels the disciples to get into the boat and 'go to the other side' (διεπλεύσατε εἰς τὸ πέραν); both verses use near-identical movement across the water as a transition.
- Mark 4:35-36 (structural): Same narrative motif of departing by boat to a different shore/solitary place—Jesus and/or his followers embark and cross the lake to withdraw from the crowd.
- Matthew 14:13 (thematic): After news about Herod/John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws by boat to a solitary place; thematically parallels Jesus leaving people and crossing to the other side to escape confrontation or seek solitude.
- John 6:15-17 (thematic): Following the feeding miracle, movement by boat and crossing the sea occurs as Jesus and/or the disciples withdraw; parallels the motif of retreating across the water after a public episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he left them, and getting into the boat again he went away to the other side.
- And he left them, and again entering into the boat he went to the other side.
And in those days, when there was a very great crowd and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them,
"I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away fasting to their homes, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from far off." And his disciples answered him, "Where can one satisfy these with bread here in the wilderness?" And he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven." And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and they set them before the people. And they had a few small fish; and he blessed them and commanded that they also be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into a boat with his disciples and went away into the district of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again he crossed to the other side.