1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. (Mark 8:1-9 KJV)
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
We had the story of a miracle very like this before in Mark 6:35; this same miracle was also recorded in Matthew 15:32, and here is little or no addition or alteration as to the circumstances. Yet observe,
Our Lord Jesus was greatly followed. The multitude was very great (Mark 8:1); despite the schemes of the scribes and Pharisees to discredit him, the common people, who had more honesty and therefore more true wisdom than their leaders, maintained their high opinion of him. We may suppose that this multitude was generally made up of the poorer class, with whom Christ associated and was familiar; for this was how he humbled himself, and made himself of no reputation, encouraging even the lowliest to come to him for life and grace.
Those who followed him endured much difficulty in doing so. They were with him for three days and had nothing to eat. That was hard service. There were likely some who brought food with them from home, but by this time, it was all gone, and they had a long way home. Yet they remained with Christ and did not speak of leaving until he spoke of sending them away. True zeal makes nothing of hardships in the way of duty. Those who have a full feast for their souls can be content with meager provisions for their bodies.
Christ has compassion for all who are in need, but especially for those who are in need because of their zeal and commitment in following him. Christ said, I have compassion on the multitude. Whom the proud Pharisees looked upon with disdain, the humble Jesus looked upon with tenderness. He especially noted, They have been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. Whatever losses or hardships we endure for Christ’s sake, he will make it up to us. Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).
Christ said (Mark 8:3), If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint on the way. Christ knows our condition and cares for our physical needs when we glorify him. He noted that many came from far away and had a long journey home. When multitudes gather to hear the word preached, it’s comforting to know that Christ sees and knows where they all come from, though we do not. I know your works, and where you live (Revelation 2:13). Christ would not send them away fasting, for it is not his way to send those empty who sincerely attend on him.
The doubts of Christians sometimes help to highlight the power of Christ. The disciples couldn’t imagine how so many could be fed with bread in the wilderness (Mark 8:4). That made the miracle appear even more astonishing.
Christ’s time to act is often when the situation is most desperate. When they were about to faint, Christ provided for them. So they would not follow him merely for food, he waited until they were truly in need before supplying them.
Christ’s generosity is never exhausted. He repeated this miracle to show that he remains the same in helping and providing for his people. His favors are renewed as our needs are. In the previous miracle, Christ used all the bread he had—five loaves—and fed five thousand. Now he used seven loaves to feed four thousand. He didn’t say, “If five loaves fed five thousand, four may feed four thousand,” but instead used all that was available, teaching us to make the best use of what we have. As in the giving of manna, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.
In our Father’s house, there is bread enough and to spare. There is fullness in Christ, which he shares with all who come to him. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:16). Those who live on Christ need not fear lacking anything.
It is good for those who follow Christ to stay together. These followers remained together—four thousand of them—and Christ fed them all. Christ’s sheep must stay with the flock and follow the Shepherd, and they will be fed.