Mark 8:9
New International Version
About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away,

New Living Translation
There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.

English Standard Version
And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.

Berean Standard Bible
And about four thousand men were present. And when Jesus had dismissed the crowd,

Berean Literal Bible
And there were about four thousand. And He sent them away.

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

New King James Version
Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,

New American Standard Bible
About four thousand men were there; and He dismissed them.

NASB 1995
About four thousand were there; and He sent them away.

NASB 1977
And about four thousand were there; and He sent them away.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now about four thousand were there, and He sent them away.

Amplified Bible
About four thousand [men] were there [besides women and children]; and He sent them away.

Christian Standard Bible
About four thousand were there. He dismissed them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
About 4,000 men were there. He dismissed them

American Standard Version
And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

English Revised Version
And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
About four thousand people were there. Then he sent the people on their way.

International Standard Version
Now about 4,000 men were there. Then he sent them on their way.

Majority Standard Bible
And about four thousand men who had eaten were present. And when Jesus had dismissed the crowd,

NET Bible
There were about four thousand who ate. Then he dismissed them.

New Heart English Bible
Now they were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he dismissed them.

Weymouth New Testament
The number fed were about 4,000. Then He sent them away,

World English Bible
Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and those eating were about four thousand. And He let them away,

Berean Literal Bible
And there were about four thousand. And He sent them away.

Young's Literal Translation
and those eating were about four thousand. And he let them away,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they eating were about four thousand: and he loosed them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And those who ate were about four thousand. And he dismissed them.

New American Bible
There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them

New Revised Standard Version
Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The men who ate were about four thousand; and he dismissed them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But there were about 4000 men who ate.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And those who had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.

Godbey New Testament
And those eating were about four thousand. And He sent them away.

Haweis New Testament
And the persons who had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

Mace New Testament
now they that had eaten were four thousand: and then he dismissed them.

Weymouth New Testament
The number fed were about 4,000. Then He sent them away,

Worrell New Testament
And they were about four thousand; and He sent them away.

Worsley New Testament
and they that had eaten were about four thousand. And then He dismissed them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
8The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9And about four thousand men were present. As soon as Jesus had dismissed the crowd, 10He got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.…

Cross References
Matthew 15:38
A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:21
About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

Mark 6:44
And there were five thousand men who had eaten the loaves.

John 6:10
“Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them.

Matthew 16:10
Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

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 16:16-18
This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’” / So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less. / When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed to eat.

Numbers 11:21-23
But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

1 Samuel 9:22-24
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. / And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.” / So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.

2 Kings 7:1-2
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

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 16:9
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

Luke 9:14
(There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

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.”

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Dismissed Eaten Eating Fed Four Present Thousand
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Dismissed Eaten Eating Fed Four Present Thousand
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 about four thousand men were present.
This phrase indicates the number of men present at the miraculous feeding, not including women and children, which suggests the total number of people could have been significantly higher. This event is distinct from the feeding of the five thousand, which is recorded earlier in the Gospels. The number four thousand is significant in that it shows Jesus' ability to provide abundantly for a large crowd, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. The setting is likely in the region of the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area, which may indicate the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry beyond the Jewish population. This miracle parallels the provision of manna in the wilderness during the Exodus, highlighting Jesus as the provider and sustainer of life.

And when Jesus had dismissed the crowd,
This phrase shows Jesus' concern for the well-being of the people, ensuring they were fed before sending them away. The act of dismissing the crowd also indicates a transition in His ministry activities, as He often withdrew to pray or teach His disciples privately after such events. The dismissal reflects Jesus' authority and the orderly manner in which He conducted His ministry. It also underscores the importance of rest and reflection after intense periods of ministry, a practice Jesus modeled for His followers. This moment can be seen as a precursor to the Great Commission, where Jesus would later send His disciples out to minister to the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is performing a miracle by feeding a large crowd with limited resources, demonstrating His divine power and compassion.

2. The Crowd
Approximately four thousand men, not including women and children, who have been following Jesus and listening to His teachings. They are recipients of His miraculous provision.

3. The Miracle of Feeding
This event is a miraculous feeding, similar to the feeding of the five thousand, showcasing Jesus' ability to provide abundantly and His concern for the physical needs of the people.

4. The Disciples
Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, they are present and play a role in distributing the food, learning from Jesus' example of service and faith.

5. The Region of the Decapolis
The broader context of this event takes place in the region of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities with a significant Gentile population, indicating the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry.
Teaching Points
Jesus' Compassion and Provision
Jesus is deeply concerned with both the spiritual and physical needs of people. We are called to emulate His compassion by caring for others holistically.

Faith in God's Abundance
The miracle demonstrates that God can provide abundantly even from limited resources. We should trust in God's provision and not be anxious about our needs.

The Role of the Disciples
The disciples are active participants in Jesus' ministry. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve and be instruments of His provision to others.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The setting in the Decapolis suggests the inclusivity of Jesus' message. The Gospel is for all people, regardless of background or ethnicity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

about
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

four thousand
τετρακισχίλιοι (tetrakischilioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5070: Four thousand. From the multiplicative adverb of tessares and chilioi; four times a thousand.

were [ fed ].
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

As soon as
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus] had dismissed
ἀπέλυσεν (apelysen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

[the crowd],
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.


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NT Gospels: Mark 8:9 Those who had eaten were about four (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 8:8
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