King James Version

What Does Mark 8:3 Mean?

Mark 8:3 in the King James Version says “And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.”

Mark 8:3 · KJV

Context

1

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

2

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

3

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

4

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

5

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Read Mark 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. Jesus articulates the practical danger facing the crowd if dismissed without food. If I send them away fasting (ἐὰν ἀπολύσω αὐτοὺς νήστεις, ean apolusō autous nēsteis)—the conditional clause considers the consequence of dismissing them in their current state. Νήστεις (nēsteis) means fasting or without food, emphasizing their depleted physical condition after three days.

To their own houses (εἰς οἶκον αὐτῶν, eis oikon autōn) indicates these people had traveled from home to hear Jesus—they weren't local residents but had journeyed specifically to receive His teaching. They will faint by the way (ἐκλυθήσονται ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, eklythēsontai en tē hodō)—the verb ἐκλύω (eklyō) means to become weary, exhausted, or to collapse. The future tense indicates Jesus' certain knowledge of what would happen. Without food to sustain them on the journey home, they would collapse from weakness.

For divers of them came from far (τινὲς γὰρ αὐτῶν ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἥκασιν, tines gar autōn apo makrothen hēkasin)—the explanatory γάρ (gar, "for") provides the reason for Jesus' concern. Μακρόθεν (makrothen) means from a distance or afar. Some had traveled many miles to hear Jesus, making the return journey even more dangerous in their weakened state. The perfect tense ἥκασιν (hēkasin) emphasizes completed action with ongoing result—they had come and remained.

This verse reveals Jesus' practical wisdom and genuine care. He doesn't perform miracles for spectacle but to meet real needs. His concern for their physical well-being demonstrates the incarnate God's understanding of human embodiment and limitation. This challenges prosperity gospel distortions that use Jesus' provision as proof that faith always brings material abundance. Jesus provides what people need, not always what they want.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient travel was arduous and dangerous, especially through wilderness areas. Roads were poor, bandits common, and travelers vulnerable to exhaustion, dehydration, and heat. A person traveling without food for days risked serious medical consequences—dehydration, hypoglycemia, collapse, even death. Jesus' concern wasn't hypothetical but reflected genuine danger. The Decapolis region was predominantly Gentile, and these travelers had likely come from various cities in the confederation to hear Jesus. Their willingness to travel long distances demonstrated the spreading fame of His teaching and miracles. This anticipates the Gentile mission—people from distant lands coming to Christ. The feeding miracle in Gentile territory parallels the earlier feeding of five thousand in Jewish territory (Mark 6), demonstrating that Jesus' compassion and provision extend to all peoples, not just Israel. This fulfilled Old Testament promises that Messiah would bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' practical concern for people's physical well-being challenge ministries that focus exclusively on "spiritual" matters while ignoring material needs?
  2. What does the fact that people traveled from far distances to hear Jesus teach about the priority of receiving spiritual nourishment from Christ?
  3. How should Jesus' example of meeting people's genuine needs (not just impressing them with miracles) shape Christian compassion and charity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

“And”

G2532

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

ἐὰν2 of 17

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ἀπολύσω3 of 17

“I send”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

αὐτῶν4 of 17

“of 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

νήστεις5 of 17

“fasting”

G3523

not eating, i.e., abstinent from food (religiously)

εἰς6 of 17

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

οἶκον7 of 17

“houses”

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

αὐτῶν8 of 17

“of 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

ἐκλυθήσονται9 of 17

“they will faint”

G1590

to relax (literally or figuratively)

ἐν10 of 17

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ11 of 17
G3588

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

ὁδῷ·12 of 17

“the way”

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

τινες13 of 17

“divers”

G5100

some or any person or object

γὰρ14 of 17

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

αὐτῶν15 of 17

“of 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

μακρόθεν16 of 17

“from far”

G3113

from a distance or afar

ἥκασιν17 of 17

“came”

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (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 8:3 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 8:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 40:31Judges 8:4-61 Samuel 14:28-311 Samuel 30:10-12

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