The Gospel of Mark
Feeding Gentiles: Mk 8,1-9
The most obvious and important difference with the first feeding is that the first had 5 loaves and 12 baskets of left overs whereas in the second we have seven loaves and seven leftovers. Whereas 12 suggests the 12 tribes of Israel, 7 is the number of wholeness or completeness. Thus the seven Churches of the Apocalpse become a symbol of the whole Church.
There are plenty of indications that this is a Gentile crowd and Jesus is still on his trip to Gentile lands (7,31).
There is some difference between the words of Jesus over the bread: blessing in 6,41 and thanks in 8,6. Blessing and thanks are effectively synonymous.
Verse 1 is an introduction by Mark omitted by Matthew (15,32). Mark needs the introduction because of the preceeding healing of the deaf mute. Once again, the crowd is "great". The last mention of a crowd was 7,14 but the crowd of the first feeding, 6,34 is a great crowd as here. That link may be indicated by "again". However, here there is a different crowd as will be clear from verse 3. In both feedings though, the crowd has no bigger part to play than to be fed.
In verse 2, Jesus is taking the initiative "I have compassion" compared with "he had compassion" in 6,34. These are the only two times in this Gospel that Jesus acts out of compassion. There is no mention of teaching here as in 6,34. Three days comes up in various ways. The Passion Predictions for example (8,31) or three days journey (Gen 30,36). It is probably best not to read too much in this verse.
"From afar" is a common expression for non-Jews, even Peter at Pentecost speaking of the promise for "all who are far away". It is an emphasis by Mark (see Mt 15,32).
This fits well with seven for the loaves and baskets as indicating all peoples.
The disciples reaction in verse 4 is entirely practical. There is no discussion between them and Jesus as in 6,35-37.
Yet the involvement of the disciples in verse 6 is stronger than either 6,41 or Mat 15,36. Jesus takes the bread from the disciples, blesses it and gives it back to them.
Then there is a strong emphasis of their service: "He gave to his disicples to set before them and they set them before the crowd".
The echoes in verse 6 of the Church's eucharist celebrations are clear.
The fish in verse 7 are mentioned only as an afterthought (8,7), though here they too are blessed.
It is commonly noted that the word for basket in 6,43 is specifically Jewish whereas the word used in here in verse 8 is a general word. That's another reminder of the Gentile setting.
The crowd therefore sits, eats and has plenty left over. There is no reaction by the disciples.
This concludes the opening to the Gentiles which began in chapter 7. This is one means by which the evangelist is speaking to the needs of his own community.
We return to the main page so that we can move on to the next episode.