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Bible story · Mark 8:1–9
Seven Loaves in the Wilderness
Read it yourself in the King James Bible: Mark 8:1–9 ↗
“So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.”
Mark 8:8 (KJV)The Story
A huge crowd had followed Jesus into a remote area. For three days they stayed with Him, listening and watching Him heal. By now their food had run out.
Jesus called His disciples over. “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat.” If I send them home hungry, He said, they’ll collapse on the way. Some of them have come a long way.
The disciples asked, “From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?”
It’s an amazing question, because they had seen Jesus feed five thousand people not long before. But they didn’t connect the two.
Jesus asked, “How many loaves have ye?” They said, seven.
He had the crowd sit on the ground. He took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and handed them to the disciples to pass out. They also had a few small fish, and He blessed those too.
About four thousand people ate until they were full. And the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftovers.
Reflection
Before Jesus performed this miracle, He said something that tells us everything about His heart: “I have compassion on the multitude.” He noticed that they were hungry. He worried they would faint on the way home.
More Bible stories from Mark. More about: God’s Provision
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Day 20 of Book 7
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