Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

MARK 6:36KJV
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Mark 6:36 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:36 mean?

Mark 6:36 records the disciples asking Jesus to send the crowd away so the people can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves bread, because they have nothing to eat. The disciples are concerned about the practical needs of the crowd, noticing that there is no food available for them.

In this scene, Jesus and his disciples are surrounded by a large group of people who have followed them to a remote place. The disciples speak to Jesus, pointing out the lack of food and suggesting that the crowd should be dismissed to find food for themselves. The verse highlights the disciples’ practical thinking and sets up the moment when Jesus will respond in a way that goes beyond their expectations.

The Greek behind Mark 6:36

  • The word translated "send...away" is ἀπόλυσον (apolysōn, G630), which often means to release or dismiss. Here, it shows the disciples want Jesus to formally let the crowd go, not just suggest they leave.
  • "Buy" is ἀγοράσωσιν (agorasōsin, G59), meaning to purchase. The disciples expect the people to find and buy their own food, underlining their focus on ordinary solutions.
  • "Bread" is ἄρτους (artous, G740), which in Greek refers to food in general, not just literal loaves. The disciples are thinking about basic sustenance, not a feast.

Why Mark 6:36 matters

  • Mark 6:36 shows the disciples’ limited perspective, focusing on what seems possible rather than expecting Jesus to provide.
  • This verse sets up the contrast between human solutions and the miraculous feeding that follows, highlighting Jesus’ compassion and power.
  • The disciples’ suggestion reveals their concern for the crowd’s well-being, but also their uncertainty about what Jesus can or will do in this situation.

Where else these words appear

“about” Greek G2945 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
  • Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
  • Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

“villages” Greek G2968 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
  • Luke 13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

“buy” Greek G59 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

“country” Greek G68 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  • Luke 8:34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.