Mark 8:17

17 And as Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why argue ye because ye have no bread? Do ye not consider nor understand? is your heart yet blind?

Mark 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 8:17

And when Jesus knew it
As he did immediately, by his omniscience; for as he knew the thoughts and reasonings of the Scribes and Pharisees, ( Matthew 9:4 ) , so he did those of his own disciples:

he saith unto them, why reason ye because ye have no bread?
or imagine that I have given you this caution on that account; or are distressed because this is your case, as if you should be reduced to great difficulties, by reason of your forgetfulness and negligence:

perceive ye not yet, neither understand?
the meaning of the parabolical expressions, which he had used them to; or his power in providing food for them, and supporting a great number of persons with very little food, of which they had some very late instances:

have ye your heart yet hardened?
as after the first miracle; see ( Mark 6:52 ) , for it might have been expected, that by a second miracle of the loaves, their understandings would have been more enlightened, and their faith increased, and that they would have relinquished their gross notions, their anxieties, doubts, and unbelief.

Mark 8:17 In-Context

15 And he commanded them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod.

16 And they argued among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

17 And as Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why argue ye because ye have no bread? Do ye not consider nor understand? is your heart yet blind?

18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They said unto him, Twelve.