Mark 8:4

4 And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?

Mark 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 8:4

And his disciples answered him
The Syriac version renders it, "say unto him"; and the Persic and Ethiopic, "said unto him"; forgetting the late miracle of feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, when they had now a less number, and more provisions:

from whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the
wilderness?
from what place, and by what ways and means can it be thought, that such a quantity of bread can be got at any rate in a desert, as to satisfy so large a number of hungry men? (See Gill on Matthew 15:33).

Mark 8:4 In-Context

2 I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

3 And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off.

4 And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?

5 And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.

6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set before them. And they set them before the people.