Bible Strands
Mark 8:20
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus questions his disciples immediately after the feeding of the four thousand, directing their attention to the aftermath of the miracle. He asks them to report the number of leftover basketfuls they gathered during that event.
The words — The Greek text emphasizes ἑπτὰ (hepta, "seven") and τετρακισχιλίους (tetrakischilious, "four thousand") to mark the precise quantities involved in this provision.
The thread — This exchange directly follows Jesus’ parallel question about the five loaves and five thousand men in Mark 8:19. It also connects to the logistical inquiry recorded in Matthew 15:34, where Jesus asks the disciples how many loaves they possess before the distribution.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus demanding a factual recall of the baskets collected, then immediately follows with a question about their understanding in Mark 8:21. The passage requires the reader to recognize that Jesus is using their own correct answers to expose their failure to perceive the significance of the miracles.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Cross-references
- Matthew 15:34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
- Mark 8:1 In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said,