Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

MARK 8:14KJV
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Mark 8:14 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:14 mean?

Mark 8:14 states that the disciples forgot to bring enough bread with them, and while they were in the boat, they realized they had only one loaf among them. This sets up a situation where the disciples are unprepared and lacking provisions as they travel with Jesus.

The verse describes a moment during Jesus’ ministry when He and His disciples are crossing by boat, and the disciples notice their lack of food. This detail is important because it leads into the following conversation Jesus has with them about spiritual understanding and trust, especially after He had recently performed miracles involving bread.

The Greek behind Mark 8:14

  • "ἐπελάθοντο" (epelathonto, "forgotten"): This word means to forget or neglect. The use here highlights a lapse in the disciples’ attention or memory, which is significant given the recent miracles involving bread.
  • "ἄρτος" (artos, "bread/loaf"): The same Greek word is used for both "bread" and "loaf" in this verse, emphasizing the practical concern of physical food but also hinting at the deeper lessons Jesus will draw from this situation.
  • "πλοίῳ" (ploiō, "ship/boat"): This word makes clear that the setting is on a boat, which often in the Gospels is a place where private teaching or significant events happen between Jesus and His disciples.

Why Mark 8:14 matters

  • Mark 8:14 sets the stage for Jesus’ teaching about spiritual blindness and the importance of remembering what He has done, especially the miracles of feeding the crowds.
  • The verse highlights the disciples’ tendency to focus on immediate, physical needs rather than the deeper spiritual realities Jesus is revealing.
  • This moment connects to the broader theme in Mark’s Gospel of the disciples’ ongoing struggle to understand who Jesus is and what He is capable of providing, both physically and spiritually.

Where else these words appear

“forgotten” Greek G1950 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 16:5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
  • Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
  • Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

“ship” Greek G4143 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
  • Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

“than” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
  • Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

“bread” 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 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
  • 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:)