Mark 6:42
And they did all eat,
and were filled.
Other translations:
And they all ate and were satisfied. [AMP, ESV] And they did all eat, and were filled. [KJV] They all ate and were satisfied, [NIV] They all ate as much as they wanted, [NLT] So they all ate and were filled. [NKJV]
Some further information:
And they did all eat, and were filled
All four Evangelists mention this: and John ( John 6:11 ) adds, “and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would” to show that although there was a vast multitude, and there was only little to offer to Jesus, He prepared a meal of it that was plentiful to each of them.
“When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” ( John 6:12 ). This was also to bring out the whole extent of the miracle.
After breaking the loaves, the Lord Jesus gave the pieces (see Mark 6:43) to His disciples to set before the people (Mark 6:41). He did the same with the pieces in which He had divided the two fish.
This led to all those present eating until they were satisfied (cf. Mark 8:8, see also Mark 8:4). In view of this, Jesus ordered His disciples to feed all these people (Mark 6:37). What he had in mind, that goal had now been achieved.
Mark emphasizes that in this verse. The ‘all’ corresponds with the ‘for all’ from the end of the previous verse. At that time there was a lavish feast taking place there in that lonely place, at which everyone could eat plenty. In other words: a miracle took place there (cf. Mark 8:8). This is also evident from what was left of food (Mark 6:43).
There was also one more side to the story, namely that Jesus and His disciples could finally also eat (see conclusion Mark 6:31)
This miracle was significant, and shows that the Christ came into the world, to be the great feeder as well as the great healer. He did not only come to restore, but also to preserve and to nourish, spiritual life; and in him there is enough for all that come to him, enough to fill the soul, and to fill the heart.
None are sent empty away from the Christ, but those that come to Him full of themselves.
Now let us reflect on this
And they all ate and were filled.
One day about five thousand men were fed by the Lord Jesus.
Food was abundant. For all who had eaten were filled, and there were even 12 baskets full of bread and fish left. There was enough with the Lord Jesus to hand out.
As it was then with that natural bread, so it is now with His grace.
Sometimes it is thought that there would be little grace to distribute with the Savior. It is then thought that here and there there is one who may live by grace.
But let us not think so small of Him and His grace.
There is overflowing grace with Him. Even for the greatest of sinners there is still overflowing grace. It is a resource that never dries up. Whoever is in need of the Bread of Life, for grace, can receive it. The Savior gladly distributes to all the hungry. He does so mildly and abundantly.
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