This verse, Mark 6:38, is a crucial setup for the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Let's break down what it means:
"He said to them, 'How many loaves do you have? Go see.'" - "He" refers to Jesus. He's addressing his disciples. He's deliberately asking a specific question about their available resources. This shows Jesus' intentionality. He's not going to magically conjure food from thin air without involving his disciples and showing what they already have.
The "Go see" emphasizes a practical assessment. He wants them to physically check what they possess. It highlights the importance of acknowledging what's available, no matter how meager it seems.
"When they knew, they said, 'Five, and two fish.'" - The disciples obeyed Jesus' command and investigated. The reply is significant because it reveals the stark reality of their situation: they have very little food for a huge crowd of people.
The five loaves and two fish represent a ridiculously small amount of food. This contrast sets the stage for the magnitude of the miracle.
It also implies that the disciples, or someone in the crowd, already had the loaves and fishes. Jesus did not create them from nothing.
In essence, the verse means:
Jesus is taking an active role in addressing the hunger of the crowd. He asks his disciples to find out what resources are available, even though they seem inadequate. The disciples' response underscores the scarcity of resources, which highlights the miraculous nature of what's about to happen. The verse is less about the specific number of loaves and fishes, and more about the disproportion between the need (the crowd) and the apparent resources (five loaves and two fish). This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate his power and compassion.
This verse, Mark 6:38, is a crucial setup for the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Let's break down what it means:
"He said to them, 'How many loaves do you have? Go see.'" - "He" refers to Jesus. He's addressing his disciples. He's deliberately asking a specific question about their available resources. This shows Jesus' intentionality. He's not going to magically conjure food from thin air without involving his disciples and showing what they already have.
The "Go see" emphasizes a practical assessment. He wants them to physically check what they possess. It highlights the importance of acknowledging what's available, no matter how meager it seems.
"When they knew, they said, 'Five, and two fish.'" - The disciples obeyed Jesus' command and investigated. The reply is significant because it reveals the stark reality of their situation: they have very little food for a huge crowd of people.
The five loaves and two fish represent a ridiculously small amount of food. This contrast sets the stage for the magnitude of the miracle.
It also implies that the disciples, or someone in the crowd, already had the loaves and fishes. Jesus did not create them from nothing.
In essence, the verse means:
Jesus is taking an active role in addressing the hunger of the crowd. He asks his disciples to find out what resources are available, even though they seem inadequate. The disciples' response underscores the scarcity of resources, which highlights the miraculous nature of what's about to happen. The verse is less about the specific number of loaves and fishes, and more about the disproportion between the need (the crowd) and the apparent resources (five loaves and two fish). This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate his power and compassion.