Nothing to See Here?
Opening Prayer
God, open my eyes to see the signs of Your presence all around me today.
Read MARK 8:1–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Thank God for what you have learned from the Bible. Praise him for the riches he still has in store for you.At first sight this miraculous story looks like a repeat of feeding the five thousand (Mark 6). This time the crowd may have included a lot more Gentiles (3). Mark wants us to really get the message.
Jesus has fed the people spiritually, but he keeps in mind their physical needs too. He wants them to be fully satisfied before they go home. He shares the problem with his disciples so that they can watch and learn. The disciples take a bit of prompting to share what they had; maybe they were thinking of keeping their loaves for themselves. However, once they had shared the little they had, not only is the crowd fed, but the disciples also have far more than enough. They seem to be learning about how sacrificial sharing works (Mark 10:28–30).
Sadly the Pharisees appear blind to what is going on, missing out on seeing this miracle (11), which could have helped
convince them of Jesus’ divinity (Acts 2:22). They approach Jesus relying on their own wisdom, coming to test him according to their limited understanding of Scripture.
Apply
Ask God to show you someone with a practical need. Be courageous in sharing whatever you have, however little.
Closing prayer
God, I offer You my understanding of Scripture. Please take it, bless it, break it and return it to me ready for sharing.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.