He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

MARK 6:37KJV
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Mark 6:37 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:37 mean?

Mark 6:37 shows Jesus telling his disciples to feed the large crowd themselves, which surprises them because they do not have enough resources. The disciples respond by questioning whether they should go and buy a large amount of bread, highlighting how impossible the task seems to them.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples after they suggest sending the crowd away to buy food. The disciples’ reply shows their practical concern: they mention “two hundred pennyworth” (a large sum) to stress how feeding everyone would be far beyond their means. This sets up the moment for Jesus to demonstrate something beyond ordinary human ability.

The Greek behind Mark 6:37

  • The word for “pennyworth” is δηνάριον (dēnarion), which refers to a Roman coin worth about a day’s wage. The disciples’ mention of “two hundred” of these coins shows just how overwhelming the need is.
  • The verb δότε (dote, from δίδωμι, G1325), translated “Give,” is a direct command from Jesus. He is not making a suggestion but telling the disciples to take action.
  • The verb ἀγοράσωμεν (agorasōmen, from ἀγοράζω, G59), meaning “buy,” shows the disciples’ practical thinking—they immediately consider the cost and logistics rather than any miraculous solution.

Why Mark 6:37 matters

  • Mark 6:37 highlights the contrast between Jesus’ expectation and the disciples’ limited perspective, preparing the reader for the miracle that follows.
  • The verse helps clarify that the disciples were not expecting Jesus to provide food supernaturally; they were thinking in ordinary, practical terms.
  • This exchange sets the stage for one of the most well-known miracles in the Gospels, showing how Jesus often involves his followers in situations that reveal their need for trust and dependence on him.

Where else these words appear

“hundred” Greek G1250 · used in 7 verses

  • John 6:7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
  • Acts 23:23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
  • Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

“pennyworth” Greek G1220 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
  • Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
  • Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

“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.

“eat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.