When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

MARK 8:19KJV
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Mark 8:19 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:19 mean?

Mark 8:19 records Jesus reminding his disciples of the time he broke five loaves of bread for five thousand people and then asked them how many baskets of leftovers they collected; they answered, "Twelve." The verse highlights the abundance that resulted from Jesus' action, even when starting with very little.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples, questioning them to help them remember a recent miracle. The context is a conversation where the disciples are worried about not having enough bread, and Jesus uses this question to prompt them to recall how he provided more than enough in the past. The verse points to the disciples' firsthand experience of Jesus' ability to provide, encouraging them to trust rather than worry.

The Greek behind Mark 8:19

  • "brake" (ἔκλασα, eklasa): This Greek word means "to break," specifically referring to breaking bread. In this context, it emphasizes the act of dividing what seemed like an insufficient amount to feed a large crowd.
  • "baskets" (κοφίνους, kophinous): This word refers to a specific type of basket, often understood as a hand basket or small container. The detail about the kind of basket helps readers picture the scene more concretely and shows the tangible result of the miracle.
  • "fragments" (κλάσματα, klasmata): This word means "pieces" or "broken bits," highlighting that not only was everyone fed, but there was also a surplus of leftover pieces, underlining the abundance produced.

Why Mark 8:19 matters

  • Mark 8:19 clears up any idea that the feeding miracle was just barely enough; the detail about the twelve baskets of leftovers shows there was more than enough for everyone.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus' power to provide abundantly, even when resources seem limited, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage.
  • By recalling this event, Jesus is teaching his disciples (and readers) to remember past experiences of God's provision when facing new challenges, rather than reacting with fear or doubt.

Where else these words appear

“thousand” Greek G4000 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
  • Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

“baskets” Greek G2894 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
  • Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Luke 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

“fragments” Greek G2801 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
  • Mark 6:43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
  • Luke 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

“brake” Greek G2806 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
  • Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.