Here was “another large crowd” (Mark 8:1). Jesus taught with such amazing authority, freshness, and relevance that the people stayed on for three days. By then they had run out of food and were hungry. Jesus, as He always did, felt compassion for them (v. 2), and was concerned that some would collapse on the way home (v. 3).

Instead of saying, “Lord you miraculously fed the 5,000. You can do it now, too,” the disciples pointed out that they were in a remote place and it was impossible to feed such a crowd (v. 4). How could they have forgotten the recent miracle? When facing present challenges, it is easy to forget past expressions of God’s faithfulness and power. The faith of the disciples was at a depressing low.

Patiently, Jesus asked them how many loaves they had. This time they offered from their own supplies seven loaves (v. 5). As He did previously, Jesus gave thanks, broke the bread, and distributed it, thus miraculously feeding the hungry and grateful crowd (vv. 6–7). The disciples later contributed “a few small fish” (v. 7) too. Perhaps they had held back the fish to see what Jesus would do with the loaves first—like the way we might hold back from giving Him everything we have, just in case. The people were asked to sit, for it was going to be a full meal. “The people ate and were satisfied” (v. 8). After the meal, the disciples “picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces” (v. 8).

After Jesus and His disciples returned to Jewish territory, they went to the region of Dalmanutha, where they were approached by Pharisees who came to test Jesus with more questions. The word for “test” can also be translated as “tempt”, for we can see Satan’s diabolical suggestions (see Matthew 4:5–7) behind the Pharisees’ demand for a miraculous sign from heaven (Mark 8:11) to prove that Jesus’ power came from God, not Satan. Jesus “sighed deeply” at their stubborn unbelief and refused to perform any such miracle (v. 12)—He had already done enough to prove His identity. The Pharisees were not seriously looking for a sign, and Jesus refused to be their resident magician.