Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 8:2
I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Verse 2. Having nothing to eat] If they had brought any provisions with them, they were now entirely expended; and they stood in immediate need of a supply.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
2. I have compassion on themultitudean expression of that deep emotion in the Redeemer’sheart which always preceded some remarkable interposition for relief.(See Mat 14:14; Mat 20:34;Mar 1:41; Luk 7:13;also Mt 9:36, before themission of the Twelve; compare Jdg 2:18;Jdg 10:16).
because they have now beenwith mein constant attendance.
three days, and have nothingto eat:
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I have compassion on the multitude,…. Christ is a compassionate Saviour both of the bodies and souls of men: he had compassion on the souls of this multitude, and therefore had been teaching them sound doctrine and he had compassion on the bodies of many of them, and had healed them of their diseases; and his bowels yearned towards them all;
because, says he,
they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat; for if they brought any food with them, it was all spent, and they were in a wilderness, where nothing was to be got; where they had no house to go into, nor bed to lie upon, and no provisions to be bought; and in this case they had been two nights and three days; which showed great affection and zeal in these people, and a close attachment to Christ, in exposing themselves to all these difficulties and hardships, which they seemed to bear with much patience and unconcernedness. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions prefix the word “behold” to this clause, as expressing admiration at their stay with him so long in such a place.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now three days ( ). This text preserves a curious parenthetic nominative of time (Robertson, Grammar, p. 460). See on Mt 15:32.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
I have compassion [] . A peculiar verb, from splagcna, the inward parts, especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These came gradually to denote the seat of the affections, like our word heart. This explains the frequent use of the word bowels in the A. V. in the sense of tender mercy, affection, compassion. See Luk 1:78; 2Co 7:15; Phi 1:8; Phl 1:7, 12, 20. The Rev. has properly rejected it in every such case, using it only in its literal sense in the single passage, Act 1:18.
They have been with me [] . Lit., they continue, as Rev.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “I have compassion on the multitude,” (aplagchnizomai epi ton ochlon) “I have compassion on the crowd,” I care for their physical and emotional welfare, I am concerned, Mat 9:35-38; Mat 15:32.
2) “Because they have now been with me three days,” (hoti ede hemerai treis prosmenousin moi) “Because now (already) they have remained with me three days,” Mat 15:32; This is an expression of His compassion experience, Heb 5:2.
3) “And have nothing to eat:” (kai ouk echousin ti phagosm) “And they have not anything that they may eat,” as Israel in the wilderness, yet God provided, Psa 107:4-5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
“I have compassion on the crowd because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat, and if I send them away fasting to their home they will faint in the way, and some of them are come from far.”
Here it is Jesus Who expressed concern for the lack of food, while in chapter 6 it was the disciples. He had preached to them and had no doubt done many healings over the three days and He knew that now their food supplies were gone. And He knew that many had come long distances and in His compassion was afraid that if they returned home without food they would not be able to make the journey.
We note that here His compassion is expressed for their lack of food. In chapter 6 they had only had one day without sufficient food and His concern was more for their spiritual need, but here their physical need was greater and thus He had concern for that. Jesus was concerned for the whole man and his needs.
The crowd was presumably a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. When such a wonder worker was at work it was unlikely that Gentiles would keep away, and Mark (and undoubtedly Jesus) has this very much in mind.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Ver. 2. I have compassion, &c. ] See Trapp on “ Mat 15:32 “ See Trapp on “ Mat 15:33 “ See Trapp on “ Mat 15:34 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mar 8:2 . Vide on Mat 15:32 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
on. Greek. epi. App-104.
nothing = not (Greek. ou. App-105) anything.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mar 8:2. , days) The nominative of time, there is, or there are, being understood, forms an absolute mode of expression, Luk 9:28.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
compassion: Mar 1:41, Mar 5:19, Mar 6:34, Mar 9:22, Psa 103:13, Psa 145:8, Psa 145:15, Mic 7:19, Mat 9:36, Mat 14:14, Mat 20:34, Luk 7:13, Luk 15:20, Heb 2:17, Heb 4:15, Heb 5:2
and have: Mat 4:2-4, Mat 6:32, Mat 6:33, Joh 4:6-8, Joh 4:30-34
Reciprocal: 1Ki 19:6 – cake 2Ki 4:38 – Set on the great pot Psa 107:5 – General Mat 15:32 – Jesus Mar 6:37 – give Joh 6:5 – Whence Act 27:34 – for this
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
FULLNESS OF GRACE AND GOODNESS
I have compassion on the multitude.
Mar 8:2
Let us take the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude as showing the fullness of His grace and goodness (Php 4:19).
I. The greatness of the multitude (Mar 8:1).We might think that this would interfere with the blessing, but in Christ God provides for the world (Joh 3:16). Though many have come to the Gospel feast, still the invitation says, Yet there is room (Luk 14:22).
II. The greatness of the necessity (Mar 8:1-2).But the greatness of mans extremity is necessary to display the greatness of Gods grace (Isa 59:16). Israel learned this at the Red Sea (Exo 14:10); the disciples when they had been without Jesus the three days He was in the grave (Joh 20:20-28). There were only seven loaves, which were quite insufficient to satisfy so many. And is not this the case with all human things? Will human wisdom satisfy? (1Co 1:20); will human riches? (Mat 19:22); will pleasure? (Ecc 2:1). The soul longs for immortalitythis alone will satisfy it (Psa 17:15).
III. The greatness of the Divine compassion (Mar 8:2).The first thought of their want, you see, springs from Jesus Himself (Heb 2:17; Heb 4:15; Heb 5:2). He is full of compassion, and ready to supply the comfort that is needed (Psa 145:8; 2Co 1:3-5). This reminds us of the father seeing the prodigal a great way off, and running to him (Luk 15:20).
IV. The greatness of the Saviours bounty (Mar 8:6-9).By His word and blessing four thousand souls are fed; and this miracle was repeated, showing that His favours are renewed to correspond to our necessities (Lam 3:23; Isa 33:2; Psa 34:9-10).
Thus in this simple narrative do you learn the fullness of Christ (Col 1:19), that God is able to make all grace abound toward you (2Co 9:8).
Bishop Rowley Hill.
Illustration
Because this miracle closely resembles one which preceded it by no considerable interval of time, some have asserted them to be one and the same. But this could not be, as the scene of the two miracles was different; the time, also, at which they were wrought was different, and the number of the multitude was different, as was the food provided for them. Moreover, the chiding of Christ of His disciples afterward sets the matter beyond all dispute or doubt (Mar 8:19-20). There are, it is true, many points of likeness, but there are also some points of unlikeness. In the duplicate miracle the numbers fed are smaller, the supply of food is larger, while the fragments remaining are fewer. The miracles, therefore, are separate acts of omnipotence. That the feeding of the multitude should be repeated, and that two evangelists should record both instances, is an emphatic confirmation of the thoughtful and generous kindness of the Divine Bread-Giver and a decided testimony to the instructive nature of His action.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
MANS EXTREMITY IS GODS OPPORTUNITY
Such was their zeal that they continued with Him three days. To them His gracious words were esteemed more than their necessary food. But the time had now come when they must either be sent fasting to their own homes, or else a miracle must be wrought to meet their pressing need. Their extremity was verily His opportunity.
I. Christs compassion was touched.His heart always moved before His hand; and the latter ever responded to the former. He did not think of Himself, albeit during that time, with but little interval, He had been either preaching to them or healing the sickly among them, denying Himself both refreshment and rest.
II. The unbelief of the disciples.As usual, the disciples were full of unbelief; and they were as embarrassed at the thought of making provision for such a vast multitude as was Moses for the six hundred thousand footmen (Num 11:21-22).
III. Every need supplied.The miracle was so broad that it embraced every one of them; it was exercised toward them regardless of the varieties of their moral character; it was directed to their lowest and highest need; and it was a sublime demonstration of His infinite love which would lavish the best blessings on sinful men both in time and eternity. And just as His disciples distributed to the people, so Christ now employs His ministers, who know the same wants and need the same blessings, to distribute them to others through the Sacraments and ordinances of His Church.
Illustration
Where shall they go who very long have stood
Hearing the news of joy?
Where in this town, that village, gather food
For woman, man, and boy!
Rumour had told that once before He fed
Five thousand in the wild,
And satisfied the hungry soul with bread,
And all their fears beguiled.
Can He, indeed, with such poor scanty store,
For all that crowd provide
The bread and fish still growing more and more,
Till none are unsupplied?
Yes; He can press within a moments space
The image of the spring,
Seed-time and harvest in one act embrace,
And home the full sheaves bring.
Our souls were faint; we deemed no helper nigh,
When lo! He gave us bread;
Calm breezes lulled the waters surging high,
And all our terrors fled.
(THIRD OUTLINE)
THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOUR
Our Lord experienced our human emotions. Note:
I. The occasion of Christs compassion.His heart was touched by
(a) The spectacle of human want and suffering.
(b) The wide diffusion of the need.
II. The qualities of Christs compassion.It was
(a) Tender and sympathising.
(b) Practical and not sentimental.
III. The proof of Christs compassion.
(a) He interested His disciples in the state of the hungering multitude.
(b) He provided a supply suitable and sufficient for the wants of the thousands.
(c) He satisfied every hungering soul.
IV. Application.See here a picture of
(a) The needs of the world.
(b) The grace of the Redeemer.
(c) The ministry of the Church.
Illustrations
(1) We distinguish a twofold object in the miracles of Christ. The first a material onethe meeting of some immediate emergency, of some want of mans earthly life which His love urged Him to satisfy; the other and higher oneto point Himself out to the persons whose earthly necessities were thus relieved as the One alone capable of satisfying their spiritual wants; to raise them from a single exhibition of His glory in the individual miracle to a vivid apprehension of the glory of His entire nature. Nay, it was to be a sign to all others, that they might believe in Him as the Son of God.
(2) May not the three days imply an earnest craving in some at least of this great multitude for spiritual food, so that in their eagerness to feed their souls, they forgot their bodily needs? But Jesus did not forget. They sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and that which was needful for the body was added unto them.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
2
The compassion of Jesus was caused by the lack of food among the multitudes. That would be emphasized by the motive that had kept them there for three days, which was that they might hear the teaching He was giving.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Verse 2
Nothing; nothing at all sufficient.