And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

MARK 8:9KJV
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Mark 8:9 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:9 mean?

Mark 8:9 states that about four thousand people ate, and then Jesus sent them away. This verse marks the conclusion of the miracle where Jesus fed a large crowd with just a small amount of food.

In this scene, Jesus is with a crowd that had been with him for several days. After providing food for everyone—about four thousand people—he dismisses them. This wraps up the event and shows Jesus’ care for the physical needs of the people before they leave.

The Greek behind Mark 8:9

  • ἐξαπέλυσεν (exapelysen, "sent away"): This word means to dismiss or release. The Greek here emphasizes that Jesus is the one actively sending the crowd off, not just letting them drift away, showing intentional care for their departure.
  • ὡσεὶ (hōsei, "about"): This word means "about" or "approximately." It signals that the number given (four thousand) is an estimate, not a precise count, which is typical for reporting large crowds in the Gospels.

Why Mark 8:9 matters

  • Mark 8:9 clarifies that the miracle involved a large group—about four thousand people—helping the reader grasp the scale of what Jesus did.
  • This verse marks a transition, showing that after meeting the crowd’s needs, Jesus moves on to the next part of his ministry.
  • The detail that Jesus himself sends the people away highlights his role as a caring leader who looks after both the spiritual and practical needs of those who follow him.

Where else these words appear

“thousand” Greek G5070 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 15:38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
  • Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

“sent” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

“eaten” 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.