For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

MARK 6:52KJV
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Mark 6:52 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:52 mean?

Mark 6:52 says that the disciples did not understand the significance of Jesus feeding the five thousand because their hearts were hardened, meaning they were not open or able to grasp what had truly happened. The verse points out that even after witnessing a miracle, the disciples struggled to recognize its deeper meaning.

This verse comes right after Jesus walks on water and calms the disciples’ fear. Mark is describing the disciples’ reaction: they are amazed and confused, not just by Jesus walking on water, but because they had not really taken in what the earlier miracle with the loaves meant. The verse highlights their spiritual dullness or resistance to understanding, even though they were close to Jesus and saw his works firsthand.

The Greek behind Mark 6:52

  • "Considered" (συνίημι, syniēmi): This word means to understand, put together, or comprehend. Mark uses it to show that the disciples did not connect the miracle of the loaves with what was happening now; they failed to see the bigger picture.
  • "Heart" (καρδία, kardia): In Greek thought, "heart" refers not just to emotions but to the center of thinking and understanding. Saying their "heart was hardened" means their whole inner self was resistant or unresponsive.
  • "Hardened" (πωρόω, pōroō): This word means to make dull or insensitive, like a stone. It suggests more than just ignorance; it points to a stubbornness or inability to perceive spiritual truth.

Why Mark 6:52 matters

  • Mark 6:52 helps readers see that witnessing miracles does not automatically lead to understanding or faith; even those closest to Jesus can miss the point if their hearts are not open.
  • The verse connects the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water, showing that both miracles reveal something about who Jesus is, but the disciples are slow to grasp it.
  • This verse sets up a recurring theme in Mark’s Gospel: the disciples’ lack of understanding, which invites readers to reflect on their own openness to what God might be doing.

Where else these words appear

“hardened” Greek G4456 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
  • John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

“considered” Greek G4920 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
  • Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
  • Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

“loaves” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
  • John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)