Mark 8:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

NIV: Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

NASB: And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, 'Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened?

CSB: Aware of this, he said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact you have no bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Do you have hardened hearts?

NLT: Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, 'Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?

KJV: And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread perceive ye not yet, neither understand have ye your heart yet hardened

NKJV: But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

Jesus is trying to teach important spiritual truths about false teaching and an individual's responsibility to evaluate religious leaders. Yet, the disciples discuss why they do not have enough to eat. Jesus abandons His intended lesson and goes back to the basics, using the Socratic method of teaching to lead the disciples to accept what they should already know. His first goal is to help them realize how hard-headed they are being.

"Perceive" is from the Greek root word noeo and means to catch an idea, think about it, and then act on it. "Understand" is from the Greek root word suniemi and means to reconcile different data points to come to a conclusion. Jesus is accusing the disciples of being unable to process what they have experienced.

"Hearts" is from the Greek root word kardia. It is the center of life, emotions, impulses, desire, and ultimately character. "Hardened" is from the Greek root word poroo and literally means to be covered with a thick callus like an elephant foot. Metaphorically, that callus covers the heart and mind so a person is mentally and spiritually dull.

This charge is more serious than merely being mentally incompetent. Having a hardened heart is at least partially a choice. Jesus is challenging the disciples to consider if they are intentionally rejecting the teaching He has given them. They have received more training than anyone else (Mark 4:11), and yet they are in danger of rejecting Jesus and who He is just like the Pharisees and Herodians who fear Jesus for His threat to their power.

Mark 8:14–21 is the fourth of a series of stories about bread and righteousness, in which the disciples again miss Jesus' point. ''Bread'' represents God's provision, whether that be literal (Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–9), or metaphorical (Mark 7:24–30). The Pharisees are careful to ensure nothing, even themselves, make their literal bread unclean (Mark 7:1–5). But Jesus warns that spiritually, their teaching acts as tainted leaven that permeates God's truth and fundamentally changes its constitution. The disciples get confused and think He's scolding them about forgetting to bring rations. Matthew 16:5–12 also records this account. Luke 12:1–3 speaks of the leaven of the Pharisees as hypocrisy.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.