Mark 8:4
New International Version
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

New Living Translation
His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

English Standard Version
And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”

Berean Standard Bible
His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?”

Berean Literal Bible
And His disciples answered Him, "From where will anyone be able to satisfy these with bread, here in this desolate place?"

King James Bible
And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

New King James Version
Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”

New American Standard Bible
And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”

NASB 1995
And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”

NASB 1977
And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough to satisfy these men with bread here in a desolate place?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”

Amplified Bible
His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this isolated place to feed these people?”

Christian Standard Bible
His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to feed these people? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His disciples answered Him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people?”

American Standard Version
And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?

Contemporary English Version
The disciples said, "This place is like a desert. Where can we find enough food to feed such a crowd?"

English Revised Version
And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His disciples asked him, "Where could anyone get enough bread to feed these people in this place where no one lives?"

Good News Translation
His disciples asked him, "Where in this desert can anyone find enough food to feed all these people?"

International Standard Version
His disciples answered him, "Where could anyone get enough bread to feed these people out here in the wilderness?"

Majority Standard Bible
His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?”

NET Bible
His disciples answered him, "Where can someone get enough bread in this desolate place to satisfy these people?"

New Heart English Bible
His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Weymouth New Testament
"Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to satisfy such a crowd?" answered His disciples.

World English Bible
His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And His disciples answered Him, “From where will anyone be able to feed these here in a wilderness with bread?”

Berean Literal Bible
And His disciples answered Him, "From where will anyone be able to satisfy these with bread, here in this desolate place?"

Young's Literal Translation
And his disciples answered him, 'Whence shall any one be able these here to feed with bread in a wilderness?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And his disciples answered him, Whence might anyone be able to satisfy these with loaves here in the lonely place?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his disciples answered him, “From where would anyone be able to obtain enough bread for them in the wilderness?”

New American Bible
His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”

New Revised Standard Version
His disciples replied, “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His disciples said to him, How can any man here in this lonely place, feed all of these with bread?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
His disciples said to him, “From where here in the desert can a man supply enough bread for all of these?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And his disciples answered him: Whence will any one be able to satisfy these men with bread, here in the wilderness?

Godbey New Testament
And His disciples responded, Whence shall any one be able to feed these with bread in the desert?

Haweis New Testament
His disciples answered him, Whence can a man here in the desert satisfy these with bread?

Mace New Testament
his disciples answer'd, how is it possible here in the desart to furnish bread enough for all this company?

Weymouth New Testament
"Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to satisfy such a crowd?" answered His disciples.

Worrell New Testament
And His disciples answered Him, "Whence will any one be able to satisfy these men with bread, here in a desert place?"

Worsley New Testament
And his disciples answered Him, From whence can one satisfy these people with bread here in a desert?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
3If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.” 4 His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?” 5“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.…

Cross References
Matthew 15:33
The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?”

John 6:5-7
When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Exodus 16:3-4
“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.

Numbers 11:21-23
But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

Matthew 14:15-17
When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”

Psalm 78:19-20
They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

Matthew 16:9-10
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? / Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

John 6:11-13
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

1 Kings 17:12-16
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...

Luke 9:12-13
As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Matthew 6:31-32
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.


Treasury of Scripture

And his disciples answered him, From where can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

From.

Mark 6:36,37,52
Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat…

Numbers 11:21-23
And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month…

2 Kings 4:42-44
And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat…

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Able Bread Crowd Desert Deserted Desolate Disciples Enough Feed Fill Find Possible Possibly Remote Satisfy Whence Wilderness
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Able Bread Crowd Desert Deserted Desolate Disciples Enough Feed Fill Find Possible Possibly Remote Satisfy Whence Wilderness
Mark 8
1. Jesus feeds the people miraculously;
10. refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees;
14. admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;
22. gives a blind man his sight;
27. acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again;
34. and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.














His disciples replied
The phrase "His disciples replied" indicates a direct response from those who were closest to Jesus, His chosen followers. The Greek word for "disciples" is μαθηταί (mathētai), which means learners or students. This highlights their role as those who are continually learning from Jesus. Their reply shows their human perspective and limited understanding, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels. Despite witnessing previous miracles, they still struggle with doubt and understanding the full extent of Jesus' power.

Where in this desolate place
The word "desolate" comes from the Greek ἔρημος (erēmos), meaning solitary, lonely, or uninhabited. This setting emphasizes the isolation and lack of resources, underscoring the miraculous nature of what Jesus is about to do. Historically, the wilderness or desolate places in Scripture often serve as settings for divine encounters and testing, such as the Israelites in the desert or Jesus' own temptation in the wilderness.

could anyone find enough bread
The phrase "find enough bread" reflects the disciples' practical concern about physical sustenance. Bread, in the ancient world, was a staple of the diet and symbolized life and provision. The Greek word for bread, ἄρτος (artos), is used here, which can also imply food in general. This concern for bread echoes the Israelites' reliance on manna in the desert, pointing to God's provision in seemingly impossible situations.

to feed all these people
The phrase "to feed all these people" highlights the magnitude of the need. The Greek word for "feed" is χορτάσαι (chortasai), which means to satisfy or fill. This implies not just providing a small amount, but enough to fully satisfy the hunger of the crowd. The disciples' question underscores their focus on the physical impossibility of the task, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His divine ability to provide abundantly beyond human limitations.

(4) Satisfy.--The verb is the same as the "filled" of Mark 7:27.

Here in the wilderness.--The word here, as in Matthew 15:33, is not the one usually employed, and is abstract, not concrete, in its form, suggesting the idea, i.e., of "loneliness;" and through that, of a lonely place. It is used in a like sense in 2Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 11:38. Like many other abstract words, it seems to have tended to a concrete meaning; but there is always an appreciable shade of difference.

Verse 4. - Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place? St. Matthew (Matthew 15:33) gives the question thus: "Whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place, as to fill so great a multitude?" The disciples, measuring the difficulty by human reason, thought that it was impossible to find so many loaves in the desert. But Christ in this necessity, when human resources fail, supplies Divine; and meanwhile the disciples' estimate of the impossibility illustrates the grandeur of the miracle.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

replied,
ἀπεκρίθησαν (apekrithēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“Where
Πόθεν (Pothen)
Adverb
Strong's 4159: From the base of posis with enclitic adverb of origin; from which or what place, state, source or cause.

in
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

this desolate place
ἐρημίας (erēmias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2047: A desert place, desert, uninhabited region. From eremos; solitude.

could
δυνήσεταί (dynēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

[find enough] bread
ἄρτων (artōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

to feed
χορτάσαι (chortasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5526: To feed, satisfy, fatten. From chortos; to fodder, i.e. to gorge.

all these [people]?”
τούτους (toutous)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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