King James Version

What Does Mark 6:37 Mean?

Mark 6:37 in the King James Version says “He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth o...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? pennyworth: the Roman penny is sevenpence halfpenny”

Mark 6:37 · KJV

Context

35

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36

Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? pennyworth: the Roman penny is sevenpence halfpenny

38

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? Jesus' command confronts the disciples with their inadequacy, driving them to recognize impossibility and thus necessity of divine intervention. 'Give ye them to eat' (Δότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς φαγεῖν, Dote autois hymeis phagein)—the emphatic 'ye' (hymeis) stresses their responsibility. Jesus didn't merely suggest they help; He commanded they feed the multitude. Their response reveals shocked incredulity: 'Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread?' (Ἀπελθόντες ἀγοράσωμεν διακοσίων δηναρίων ἄρτους, Apelthontes agorasōmen diakosiōn dēnariōn artous). Two hundred denarii represented over six months' wages for a laborer (one denarius = one day's wage). Their rhetorical question essentially said: 'Do you expect us to spend half a year's salary on bread?' They calculated cost and concluded it was impossible. Yet Jesus' command wasn't about what they could do but what He would do through them. The pattern continues: God commands what humans cannot accomplish, forcing dependence on divine power. This develops faith—recognizing that God's commands always include His enabling. Reformed theology emphasizes that divine commands accompanied by divine grace make possible what human effort alone cannot achieve.

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Historical & Cultural Context

A denarius was standard daily wage for agricultural laborers. Two hundred denarii represented substantial sum—roughly eight months' wages at one denarius per day (accounting for Sabbath rest). This calculation shows the disciples did quick mental math about the crowd's size and bread costs. Ancient bread was staple food, but feeding thousands required enormous quantities. The disciples' focus on financial impossibility prevented them from considering miraculous possibility. Philip made similar calculation in John's account (John 6:7), showing how multiple disciples independently assessed the situation financially. Archaeological evidence from first-century Palestine indicates bread prices varied, but feeding thousands would indeed cost many denarii. The disciples' treasury (kept by Judas, John 12:6) certainly didn't contain two hundred denarii—their question may have been sarcastic or desperate. This financial calculation, while practical, ignored Jesus' prior miracles of multiplication and provision. Early church application: when God commands impossibility, He intends to demonstrate divine power, not human resourcefulness. The obstacle is the opportunity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' command to 'give them to eat' when we have nothing illustrate how God's commands often exceed our resources to demonstrate His sufficiency?
  2. What does the disciples' immediate calculation of costs rather than considering miraculous provision teach about faith's relationship to financial planning?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ὁ1 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 21

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 21

“He answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 21

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς5 of 21

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

δώμεν6 of 21

“Give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτοῖς7 of 21

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὑμεῖς8 of 21

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

φαγεῖν9 of 21

“to eat”

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

καὶ10 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγουσιν11 of 21

“they say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῖς12 of 21

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἀπελθόντες13 of 21

“Shall we go”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἀγοράσωμεν14 of 21

“and buy”

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

διακοσίων15 of 21

“two hundred”

G1250

two hundred

δηναρίων16 of 21

“pennyworth”

G1220

a denarius (or ten asses)

ἄρτους17 of 21

“of bread”

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

καὶ18 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δώμεν19 of 21

“Give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτοῖς20 of 21

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

φαγεῖν21 of 21

“to eat”

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 6:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 6:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 4:42-44Matthew 14:16Matthew 15:32-33Numbers 11:13Luke 9:13Mark 8:2-3

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