The Feeding of the Four Thousand

(2 Kings 4:42–44, Mark 8:1–10)

Moving on from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain [and] sat down. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing [the] lame, [the] blind, [the] mute, [the] crippled,[fn] and many others, and laid them at Jesus' feet,[fn] and He healed them. 31 The crowds were amazed[fn] when they saw [the] mute speaking, [the] crippled restored, [the] lame walking, and [the] blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

32 

Then Jesus called His disciples [to Him] [and] said,“I have compassion for [this] crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. vvv I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”

33 

His disciples replied“Where in this desolate place could we [find] enough bread vvv to feed such a large crowd?”

34 

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked

“Seven,” they replied,“and a few small fish.”

35 

And He commanded[fn] the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks [and] broke [them]. Then He gave [them] to His disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the people.

37 

They all ate and were satisfied, and [the disciples] picked up seven basketfuls vvv of broken pieces that were left over. 38 A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

39 

After [Jesus] had dismissed the crowds, He got into the boat and went to the region of Magdala.[fn] 16