Mark 8:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.

NIV: They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.

NASB: They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well.

CSB: They also had a few small fish, and after he had blessed them, he said these were to be served as well.

NLT: A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

KJV: And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

NKJV: They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.

"Blessed" is from the Greek root word eulogeo. It means to celebrate with praises, to consecrate something, to ask God to give something favor. It is where we get our word "eulogy."

Jesus declares His praises for the provision of a few small, dried fish. To a hungry crowd on the verge of fainting, they are indeed a God-send. Undoubtedly, many of the people have finer rations at home, to include lamb, goat, and bacon. But here, a little salty protein is what they need, and Jesus sets the example by being appropriately grateful.

As kids, some of us were shamed for rejecting our peas by the mention of starving children in third-world countries. As we grow up, we lament when we don't get into the college we want, don't get the job or the salary we feel we deserve, or have the house and car we expected. Often, we lack because of our own poor choices. Other times it has nothing to do with our choices, but instead we lack simply because we live in a fallen world. Regardless, we are likely to find contentment not by having more, but by appreciating what we have more.

There is real desperation in the world, and then there is having just enough to cover what we need. It's important to realize the difference. The gap between "barely enough" and "not nearly enough" is enormous. Believers can rejoice, no matter how desperate we are, and also recognize that our preferences are not always the same as our ultimate "needs."

Mark 8:1–10 is the third of a series of stories about bread and the proper place of ceremonial cleanness. In Mark 7:1–5, the Pharisees condemn Jesus' disciples for eating bread with unclean hands. In Mark 7:24–30, a Syrophoenician woman boldly requests the metaphoric ''crumbs'' of God's provision. Here, Jesus feeds bread to a great crowd of Gentiles and Jews. Later, He will equate the insidious false teachings of the Pharisees with leaven (Mark 8:14–21). This account is also found in Matthew 15:32–39.

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.