Mark 8:20
New International Version
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”

New Living Translation
“And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said.

English Standard Version
“And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”

Berean Standard Bible
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said.

Berean Literal Bible
"And when the seven were to the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven."

King James Bible
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

New King James Version
“Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”

New American Standard Bible
“When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.”

NASB 1995
“When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.”

NASB 1977
“And when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.”

Amplified Bible
“And [when I broke] the seven [loaves] for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they answered, “Seven.”

Christian Standard Bible
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you collect? ” “Seven,” they said.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?"” Seven,” they said.

American Standard Version
And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus then asked, "And how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up when I broke seven small loaves of bread for those 4,000 people?" "Seven," they answered.

English Revised Version
And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many large baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?" They answered him, "Seven."

Good News Translation
"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand people," asked Jesus, "how many baskets full of leftover pieces did you take up?" "Seven," they answered.

International Standard Version
"When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets did you fill with the leftover pieces?" They told him, "Seven."

Majority Standard Bible
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said.

NET Bible
"When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?" They replied, "Seven."

New Heart English Bible
"When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said, "Seven."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

Weymouth New Testament
"And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of portions did you take away?" "Seven," they answered.

World English Bible
“When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Seven.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And when the seven to the four thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”

Berean Literal Bible
"And when the seven were to the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven."

Young's Literal Translation
'And when the seven to the four thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?' and they said, 'Seven.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And when the seven to four thousand, the fillings of how many baskets of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When also the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets of fragments took you up? And they say to him, Seven.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“And when the seven loaves were among the four thousand, how many baskets of fragments did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”

New American Bible
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered [him], “Seven.”

New Revised Standard Version
“And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He said to them, And when the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? They said, Seven.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He said to them, “And when the seven to the 4000, after they were filled, how many baskets of fragments did you take up?” They said, “Seven.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When I broke the seven among the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They replied: Seven.

Godbey New Testament
And when the seven loaves to the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? And they said, Seven.

Haweis New Testament
And when the seven loaves among the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They said, Seven.

Mace New Testament
and when I divided the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you carry away? they answered, seven.

Weymouth New Testament
"And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of portions did you take away?" "Seven," they answered.

Worrell New Testament
"And, when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did ye take up?" And, they said, "Seven."

Worsley New Testament
And when I divided the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? and they said, Seven.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Leaven to Beware
19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. 20“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said. 21Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?”…

Cross References
Matthew 16:9-10
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? / Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

John 6:12-13
And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Matthew 14:20-21
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

Matthew 15:37-38
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

Luke 9:17
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Exodus 16:4-5
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

John 6:5-7
When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”

John 6:26-27
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. / Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

John 6:35
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

Psalm 78:19-25
They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” / Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, ...

Psalm 132:15
I will bless her with abundant provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

1 Kings 17:14-16
for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven.

Mark 8:1-9
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, …

Matthew 15:34-38
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes…

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Basketfuls Baskets Bits Broke Broken Fed Filling Four Fragments Full Hampers Hand-Baskets Loaves Pick Pieces Portions Seven Thousand
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Mark 8
1. Jesus feeds the people miraculously;
10. refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees;
14. admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;
22. gives a blind man his sight;
27. acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again;
34. and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.














And when I broke
This phrase refers to the miraculous act of Jesus breaking the loaves. The Greek word for "broke" is "klaō," which implies not just a physical breaking but a divine act of provision. In the context of the Gospels, breaking bread is often associated with Jesus' acts of compassion and provision, symbolizing His ability to meet the needs of His followers. This act foreshadows the Last Supper, where Jesus breaks bread as a symbol of His body given for humanity.

the seven loaves
The number seven in biblical terms often signifies completeness or perfection. The "seven loaves" here are not just a count of bread but a representation of God's perfect provision. In the context of the feeding miracles, it emphasizes that what Jesus provides is sufficient and complete, lacking nothing. The loaves, though few, become a means through which Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and care.

for the four thousand
This phrase highlights the scale of the miracle. The "four thousand" refers to the multitude that Jesus fed, showcasing His compassion for the masses. Historically, this event is distinct from the feeding of the five thousand, emphasizing that Jesus' ministry reached various groups and that His provision was not limited to a single event or people group. It underscores the inclusivity of Jesus' mission.

how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?
The question Jesus poses is rhetorical, meant to remind the disciples of the abundance that followed His miraculous provision. The term "basketfuls" in Greek is "spyridas," which refers to large baskets, indicating the surplus of provision. This abundance is a testament to God's generosity and the overflowing nature of His blessings. It serves as a reminder to the disciples—and to us—of God's ability to provide beyond our immediate needs.

Seven, they said
The disciples' response, "Seven," confirms the completeness of the miracle. The number seven again signifies fullness and divine perfection. This acknowledgment by the disciples serves as a confession of faith, recognizing the miraculous nature of Jesus' provision. It is a call to remember and trust in God's faithfulness and sufficiency in all circumstances.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

when [I broke]
Ὅτε (Hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seven [loaves]
ἑπτὰ (hepta)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

four thousand,
τετρακισχιλίους (tetrakischilious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5070: Four thousand. From the multiplicative adverb of tessares and chilioi; four times a thousand.

how many
πόσων (posōn)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 4214: How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).

basketfuls
σπυρίδων (spyridōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 4711: A plaited basket. From speiro; a hamper or lunch-receptacle.

of broken pieces
κλασμάτων (klasmatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2801: A fragment, broken piece. From klao; a piece.

did you collect?”
ἤρατε (ērate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

“Seven,”
Ἑπτά (Hepta)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven.

they
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

said.
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.


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NT Gospels: Mark 8:20 When the seven loaves fed the four (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 8:19
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