Loaves and Fishes
…Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
-Mark 8:17-21
Do you still not understand? That’s the question Jesus asked his disciples here in Mark 8.
It came at a very interesting time in his ministry. He had just fed a hungry crowd of about 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish. A few chapters earlier in Mark 6:30-44, we see Jesus feeding 5,000 men (plus women and children) from just five loaves and two fish.
But after the second crowd-feeding miracle, Jesus had some questions for his disciples:
“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? And they said to him, ‘Seven’” (Mark 8:19-20).
Why the numbers quiz?
The more I study and reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus, the more I see his heart for all nations coming through so clearly again and again! He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus’ heart for all peoples was evident from the beginning of his ministry (Luke 4:18-29), and it got him in trouble!
We often miss the powerful global mission emphasis in these miraculous stories of feeding the crowds. The numbers quiz Jesus gave his disciples indicates he was interested in more than filling stomachs.
The first miracle—feeding 5,000 men from five loaves and two fish—took place in a Jewish area. The number five had great significance to this crowd: The Torah, the five books of the law of Moses, was highly revered. And twelve basketfuls were gathered in the end: 12 is significant for the 12 tribes of Israel.
The second miraculous feeding of 4,000 happened near where Jesus had cast demons out of a man living among the tombs, and into a huge herd of pigs that ran into the sea and drowned. In this largely Gentile area, 4,000 people ate from seven loaves and a few fish. Seven basketfuls of leftovers were gathered.
In Scripture, both the numbers four and seven are very significant. Do you know why? Four is commonly used early in the Old Testament to refer to the whole world (i.e. Genesis 28:14): the north, south, east, and west. And seven is the number of completion and perfection.
In John’s account (John 6:22-40), after feeding the 5,000, Jesus explains the real significance is more than filling hungry stomachs: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger.’” Jesus is the bread of life for the Jews first—five loaves for 5,000 and 12 baskets full for 12 tribes.
Jesus is also the bread of life for all people from the north, south, east and west—from all four corners of the world. And there were seven full baskets leftover! Perfect, enough for everyone to complete our God-given mission!
As an interesting note, the Greek word translated “basket” in the feeding of 5,000 is literally a kosher food basket—fully appropriate for the Jewish people. In the story of the 4,000, it’s literally a work basket used in the field—common and appropriate for the Gentiles. And you know us Gentiles, we’ll eat just about anything!
Do you now understand why Jesus asked the question? He came to seek and save the lost—from every tribe, tongue, and nation!
–Galen Burkholder, President/CEO
![](https://globaldisciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-04-28-at-8.48.13-AM-768x511.png)
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields
Recent Posts
How Do You Want to be Remembered?
Creating a will is a meaningful way to communicate what’s most important to you, elevating it to an act of worship that honors the Lord.
You Make a Difference!
You are part of our team, and we're all working together to see that everyone has an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ.
Six Perspectives to Shape Your Giving
Global Disciples exists so that Christ-followers in many nations can be equipped to reach their nations with the Good News of Jesus. We trust God to supply our needs to carry this out, and we invite His people to support these efforts.
Life Change for Leaders
Leadership training from Global Disciples equips leaders in the local church to grow in their relationship with the Lord and in their desire and ability to share the Gospel.
Leading for the Next Step
"We have done all that we can to ensure that the vision and mission for which Global Disciples was established will continue. I think God's given us clarity and vision, and I believe that the Board and our senior staff are bought into that vision in a way that we can move ahead with confidence that what people have been investing in and praying for will continue with the same focus."
Listening Leaders
Listening is crucial in the your life as a leader because it enables you to connect with your team on a much deeper level, and to make more informed decisions.
3 Ways to Give like a Billionaire
Whether you are rich in time, talent, or treasure, you can give while you live and make a powerful statement about what matters most.
A Third of Our World
Roughly one-third of the world’s population is considered least-reached. Mission researchers have identified at least 4,289 least-reached groups or 41.6% of the world's people groups.
A Mother on a Mission
God includes mothers in His amazing work, not only to raise their children to know and follow him, but also to nurture and raise up new spiritual generations.
Prayer Warriors
Intercessors and the ministry of prayer are essential for the spiritual battles faced by the trainers and disciple-makers.
Groundbreaking Prayer
The director led a smaller team to walk and pray and prepare the way for Jesus in one of the villages that was without a church or even a small fellowship of believers.
How Can We Reach Them?
We believe one of the most effective ways to reach least-reached people is by working with and through the global Body of Christ.
Jesus Loves Me
"Does God really exist? And if He does, does He really love me? Because I have never known anyone who loves me.”
Good News at Karate Class
Kasun moved to a predominantly Buddhist community and decided to offer karate classes to create opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus. The response was overwhelming!
What Is a Disciple?
A disciple is someone who is with Jesus and learning to be like Him. “Disciple” is a status.
Give monthly, reach the world…
Join our community of monthly donors bringing the hope of Jesus to least-reached people groups around the world.