Feeding the Four Thousand and the Pharisees' Demand for a Sign
Mark 8:1-13
1In those days, when a great crowd was again present and they had nothing to eat, he called the disciples and said to them:2I have compassion on the crowd, because they have already remained with me three days and they have nothing to eat.3If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way, and some of them have come from a distance.4His disciples answered him, How can anyone feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?5He asked them, How many loaves do you have? They said, Seven.6He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they set them before the crowd.7They also had a few small fish. After blessing them, he said, Set these before them also.8They ate and were satisfied, and they took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.9There were about four thousand people, and he sent them away.10Immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.11The Pharisees came out and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven in order to test him.12He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.13Leaving them, he again got into the boat and went to the other side.