Mark 8:7
New International Version
They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.

New Living Translation
A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

English Standard Version
And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.

Berean Standard Bible
They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well.

Berean Literal Bible
And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, He ordered these also to be set before them.

King James Bible
And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

New King James Version
They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.

New American Standard Bible
They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well.

NASB 1995
They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.

NASB 1977
They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they also had a few small fish; and after He blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.

Amplified Bible
They also had a few small fish; and when Jesus had blessed them [and given thanks], He ordered these [fish] to be set before them as well.

Christian Standard Bible
They also had a few small fish, and after he had blessed them, he said these were to be served as well.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They also had a few small fish, and when He had blessed them, He said these were to be served as well.

American Standard Version
And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them.

Contemporary English Version
They also had a few little fish, and after Jesus had blessed these, he told the disciples to pass them around.

English Revised Version
And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They also had a few small fish. He blessed them and said that the fish should also be served to the people.

Good News Translation
They also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for these and told the disciples to distribute them too.

International Standard Version
They also had a few small fish. He blessed them and said that the fish should also be distributed.

Majority Standard Bible
They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well.

NET Bible
They also had a few small fish. After giving thanks for these, he told them to serve these as well.

New Heart English Bible
They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

Weymouth New Testament
They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His disciples to distribute these also.

World English Bible
They also had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed, He said to set them also before [them];

Berean Literal Bible
And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, He ordered these also to be set before them.

Young's Literal Translation
And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed, he said to set them also before them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they had a few little fishes: and having praised, he spake to set them also before.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they had a few small fish. And he blessed them, and he ordered them to be placed before them.

New American Bible
They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also.

New Revised Standard Version
They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there were a few fishes; he blessed them also, and commanded to set them before them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there were a few fish also for them, and he blessed them, and he said to set them out.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they had a few small fishes; and he blessed, and commanded that they also be set before them.

Godbey New Testament
And they had a few fishes: and blessing them, He delivered them.

Haweis New Testament
And they had a few small fishes; and blessing, he commanded to set these also before them.

Mace New Testament
and there being a few small fishes, he gave thanks, and order'd them to be distributed.

Weymouth New Testament
They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His disciples to distribute these also.

Worrell New Testament
And they had a few small fishes; and, having blessed them, He commanded to set these also before them.

Worsley New Testament
And they had a few small fishes: and He blessed them, and bid them set them also before the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
6And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. 7They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well. 8The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.…

Cross References
Matthew 15:34-38
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

John 6:9-13
“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. ...

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.

Matthew 14:17-21
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

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.”

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.’” ...

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?

Luke 9:13-17
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.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ...

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...

Numbers 11:31-32
Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. / All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp.

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

John 21:9-13
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. / Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” / So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. ...

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

fishes.

Luke 24:41,42
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? …

John 21:5,8,9
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No…

he blessed.

Luke 6:41
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Matthew 14:19
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

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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.














They also had a few small fish
This phrase highlights the modest provision available to the crowd. The Greek word for "small fish" is "ἰχθύδια" (ichthydia), which indicates tiny fish, possibly sardines, common in the Sea of Galilee. This detail underscores the miracle's magnitude, as Jesus uses even the smallest resources to fulfill a great need. Historically, fish were a staple in the diet of the region, symbolizing sustenance and provision. The mention of "few" emphasizes the insufficiency of human resources without divine intervention.

after He had blessed them
The act of blessing is significant in Jewish tradition, where blessings are pronounced over meals to acknowledge God's provision. The Greek word "εὐλογήσας" (eulogēsas) means to speak well of or to praise. Jesus' blessing signifies His authority and divine role as the provider. This act transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, reminding believers of the power of gratitude and faith in God's abundance. It reflects the scriptural theme that God can multiply what is offered to Him in faith.

He ordered that these be set before them
Jesus' command to distribute the fish demonstrates His role as a leader and provider. The Greek word "παρατιθέναι" (paratithenai) means to place beside or to serve, indicating an organized distribution. This action reflects the orderly nature of God's provision and the importance of obedience in the process of receiving His blessings. Historically, meals were communal events, and this setting before the people symbolizes the communal sharing of God's gifts. It serves as a reminder of the church's role in distributing spiritual and physical nourishment to the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They also had
εἶχον (eichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a few
ὀλίγα (oliga)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

small fish,
ἰχθύδια (ichthydia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2485: A small fish. Diminutive from ichthus; a petty fish.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus] blessed
εὐλογήσας (eulogēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2127: (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.

them
αὐτὰ (auta)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural
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.

[and] ordered that
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

these
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

be set before [them]
παρατιθέναι (paratithenai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3908: From para and tithemi; to place alongside, i.e. Present; by implication, to deposit.

as well.
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.


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NT Gospels: Mark 8:7 They had a few small fish (Mar Mk Mr)
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