Mark 8:6

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) To sit down.—The Greek word implies the usual Eastern position of reclining, rather than our sitting.

Benson Commentary

Mark 8:6-9. He commanded the people to sit down — The evangelists having, in the account of the former dinner, described the manner in which the multitude was set down, thought it needless on this occasion to say any thing of that particular, probably because they were ranged as before, in companies by hundreds and fifties. And he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks — He gave thanks for the fishes separately, and distributed them separately. So they did eat — Matthew, they did all eat, and were filled; were abundantly satisfied. And they took up of the broken meat, &c. — Which Jesus ordered them to gather up, that he might thus convince them, in the strongest manner, of the greatness of the miracle; and teach them also, at the same time, to use a prudent frugality in the midst of plenty. This miracle, and also the former of the same kind, recorded Mark 6:40, &c., were intended to demonstrate, that Christ was the true bread which cometh down from heaven; for he who was almighty to create bread without means to support natural life, could not want power to create bread without means to support spiritual life. And this heavenly bread we stand so much in need of every moment, that we ought to be always praying, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-10 Our Lord Jesus encouraged the meanest to come to him for life and grace. Christ knows and considers our frames. The bounty of Christ is always ready; to show that, he repeated this miracle. His favours are renewed, as our wants and necessities are. And those need not fear want, who have Christ to live upon by faith, and do so with thanksgiving.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I have compassions - I pity their condition. I am disposed to relieve them.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven—It was important in this case, as in the former, that the precise number of the loaves should be brought out. Thus also does the distinctness of the two miracles appear.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 8:6"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground,.... See Gill on Matthew 15:35;

and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake them; See Gill on Matthew 15:36;

and gave to his disciples to set before them, the multitude,

and they did set them before the people; in which they were obedient to their Lord's commands, though they were so forgetful, unbelieving, and stupid.

Geneva Study Bible

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 8:6. Compare the meagre statement here with the picturesque description in Mark 6:38-40. The evangelist seems to lack interest in the twice-told tale. Mark 8:7. ἰχθύδια: another of Mark’s diminutives, but Matthew has it also (Mark 15:34), copied probably from Mark. In these two places only.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. to sit down] Where is not distinctly specified. All we can certainly gather is that it was on the eastern side of the Lake, and in a desert spot (Matthew 15:33), possibly about the middle or southern end of the Lake.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 8:6-7. Εὐχαριστήσας—εὐλογήσας, giving thanks—blessing) Synonyms. They do right in taking food, who pray over the several courses.—καὶ αὐτὰ, them also) Implying the liberal bountifulness of the feast.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - And he commandeth the multitude to sit down (ἀναπεσεῖν) - literally, to recline - on the ground (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς); not the green grass, as before. It was a different season of the year. "He gave thanks." In this expression is included the recognition of the Divine power to enable him to work the miracle. Christ indeed, as God, was able of his own will and by his own power to multiply the loaves. But as man he gave thanks. And yet, as Dr. Westcott excellently remarks, "The thanksgiving was not for any uncertain or unexpected gift. It was rather a proclamation of his fellowship with God. So that the true nature of prayer in the case of our blessed Lord was the conscious realization of the Divine will, and not a petition for that which was contingent." And having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples (ἔκλάσε καὶ ἐδίδου). Observe the aorist and the imperfect. The giving was a continual act, till all were filled. Mark 8:6

Vincent's Word Studies

To sit down (ἀναπεσεῖν)

Lit., to recline.

Brake and gave

See on Mark 6:41.