Mark 8:17

17 Jesus knew what they were saying. So he asked them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Why can't you see or understand? Are you stubborn?

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 "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. And watch out for the yeast of Herod."

16 They talked about this with each other. They said, "He must be saying this because we don't have any bread."

17 Jesus knew what they were saying. So he asked them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Why can't you see or understand? Are you stubborn?

18 Do you have eyes and still don't see? Do you have ears and still don't hear? And don't you remember?

19 Earlier I broke five loaves for the 5,000. How many baskets of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied.