Mark
Chapter 8: 1-13
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
1During
those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his
disciples to him and said, 2"I have
compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to
eat. 3If I send them home hungry, they will
collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance."
4His
disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to
feed them?"
5"How
many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
"Seven," they replied.
6He told
the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks,
he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks
for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples
picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away,
10he got into the boat with his disciples and
went to the region of Dalmanutha.
11The
Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from
heaven. 12He sighed deeply and said, "Why
does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be
given to it." 13Then he left them, got
back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
