What does Mark 8:8 mean?

"Satisfied" is from the Greek root word chortazo and means to be filled or fulfilled. "Basket" is from the Greek root word spuris. When Jesus fed the five thousand-plus outside of Bethsaida, the disciples collected twelve small wicker baskets (Mark 6:43). Now they fill larger hampers that may be big enough to fit a man (Acts 9:25).

Mark 8:8–9 and Mark 8:14–21 shadow the first of Jesus' temptations by Satan after His baptism (Matthew 4:1–4). After Jesus had fasted in the wilderness, it would have been no more sinful for Him to turn the stones into bread than it is for Him to turn seven loaves into a feast for thousands. The issue is context. Jesus' time with these people is at an end, and He feeds them because He's worried they will faint on their way home. His doing so seems to be similar to the angels ministering to Him after His fasting and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). Food is now necessary for the people to accomplish God's work: get home safely (Mark 8:3). So Jesus ministers to them with this physical provision.

There will be times in our Christian service when we will have to make sacrifices. We may refuse a well-paying but unethical job, or leave the comforts of home to help those who have been devastated by a hurricane. But God will also provide moments of peace and support. Twice, God provided for Elijah when he needed it most (1 Kings 17:3–6; 19:4–8). We need to take advantage of those times, as well.