Introduction
Hallelujah! Let’s start today by greeting one another. Turn to the person next to you and say, “God created you.” Now respond, “You are God’s masterpiece.” Amen! We gather in His presence today to delve into the Word of God as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark. Today’s message is called “12 and 7,” and it focuses on two significant events: the feeding of the 5000 and the feeding of the 4000, found in Mark chapters 6 and 8.
At first glance, these two miracles may seem repetitive, but as we will see, Jesus performed these acts with great purpose. There is deep meaning behind both the similarities and the differences between these two events. Let us not just look at them as mere miracles but as profound signs pointing to the identity of Jesus as the bread of life given for all—Jews and Gentiles alike. Let us open our hearts to receive what God is speaking to us today.
The Similarities Between the Feeding of the 5000 and the Feeding of the 4000
First, let us consider the similarities between the two miracles. Both begin with Jesus’ deep compassion for the people. In each instance, large crowds followed Him for days, eager to hear His teachings, and Jesus saw their need. He was not only concerned about their spiritual hunger but also their physical hunger. He had compassion for them, and His heart moved Him to act.
Before distributing the food, Jesus prayed and gave thanks to God. This act of gratitude is significant because it shows us that no matter how small our resources, when we give thanks and offer it to God, He can multiply it. In both cases, Jesus used loaves of bread and fish—simple, everyday food that became more than enough to satisfy the multitudes. Both times, there were leftovers after everyone had eaten their fill.
After each miracle, Jesus moved on by boat to a different region, continuing His ministry. These similarities might lead us to think, “Why did Jesus do this twice? What is the purpose?” But when Jesus repeats something, He is emphasizing a deeper message. There is something important here that we must not overlook.
The Differences Between the Feeding of the 5000 and the Feeding of the 4000
While there are similarities, there are also key differences that reveal much about Jesus’ mission. The first difference is the location. The feeding of the 5000 took place in the region of Judea, where the people were predominantly Jews. The feeding of the 4000, however, took place in Decapolis, a Gentile region. This distinction is crucial because it shows us that Jesus’ message and His provision are not limited to one group of people but are meant for all.
Another difference is the number of loaves used. In the feeding of the 5000, Jesus used five loaves of bread, while in the feeding of the 4000, He used seven. The number of baskets left over also differs—twelve baskets after feeding the 5000 and seven baskets after feeding the 4000.
The numbers here are not random; they hold symbolic meaning. The twelve baskets left over in the Judean region represent the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people. Jesus came first to offer the bread of life to the Israelites, the descendants of the twelve tribes. However, in the Gentile region, seven baskets were left over. Seven is the number of completeness, and in this context, it represents the seven tribes of Canaan, symbolizing all the nations beyond Israel. This shows us that Jesus is not just the Savior of the Jews, but the Savior of all humanity. The bread of life is given for both Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus’ provision is abundant, more than enough to satisfy both the chosen people of Israel and the Gentile nations. This is a powerful message about the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. Jesus came to break down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles, to bring salvation to the whole world. The twelve baskets represent the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, while the seven baskets represent the extension of that promise to all peoples. In Christ, the bread of life is offered to everyone who believes.
The Pharisees Seek for a Sign
Immediately after the feeding of the 4000, we see a stark contrast in how different people responded to Jesus. The Pharisees approached Him, demanding a sign from heaven to test Him. They had just witnessed Jesus performing miraculous signs, but their hearts were hardened. They weren’t asking for a sign because they wanted to believe in Him—they were seeking to trap Him, to prove that He wasn’t who He said He was.
Jesus 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” [Mark 8:12]. It was not that Jesus hadn’t given signs; He had already performed many miracles. But the Pharisees refused to see the truth in front of them. Even today, many people still ask God for signs, saying, “If only I had proof, then I would believe.” But Jesus reminds us that the problem isn’t the lack of signs—it’s the lack of faith.
Throughout history, God has given His people many signs. When He made a covenant with Adam, He provided the sign of the garment of skin. When He made a covenant with Noah, He gave the sign of the rainbow. To Abraham, He gave the sign of circumcision. To Moses, He gave the law and the tabernacle. Each of these signs pointed forward to Jesus, the ultimate sign of God’s covenant with humanity.
Jesus is the greatest sign of all. His birth, His miracles, His death, and His resurrection are the clearest signs of God’s love for us. We don’t need to keep asking for more signs because Jesus Himself is the sign. He is the fulfillment of every promise God made. Yet, the Pharisees, like many today, were blind to this truth because their hearts were not open to believe.
The Leaven of the Pharisees
After this encounter with the Pharisees, Jesus warned His disciples, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” [Mark 8:15]. Leaven, or yeast, is a small ingredient that spreads through dough, causing it to rise. In this context, Jesus was using leaven as a metaphor for the corrupting influence of the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and Herod’s worldly ways.
The Pharisees were outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt. They emphasized rituals, rules, and external appearances, but their hearts were far from God. This kind of leaven can easily spread if we are not careful, corrupting our faith and turning it into empty religion.
Herod, on the other hand, represented the corrupting influence of political power and self-interest. Together, the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod symbolize the dangers of allowing worldly concerns—whether religious legalism or political ambition—to take priority over genuine faith in Jesus.
The disciples, however, were still focused on their physical needs. They were worried because they had forgotten to bring enough bread for their journey. Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand? Do you have a hardened heart?” [Mark 8:17]. They had just witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding thousands, and yet they were still concerned about having enough food. Jesus was trying to teach them to trust in Him as the bread of life, the one who provides not just for their physical needs but for their spiritual hunger as well.
Conclusion
As we reflect on these passages, let us examine our own hearts. Are we like the Pharisees, still seeking signs to confirm our faith, even though Jesus has already given us the greatest sign? Are we so focused on our physical needs and daily concerns that we miss the spiritual lessons Jesus is trying to teach us?
Jesus is the bread of life, given for both Jews and Gentiles. His miracles were not just about feeding people’s stomachs—they were about revealing who He is: the Savior of the world. The twelve baskets of leftovers from the feeding of the 5000 symbolize God’s provision for the twelve tribes of Israel. The seven baskets of leftovers from the feeding of the 4000 represent God’s provision for all the nations, including the Gentiles. Jesus’ salvation is for all people, and His grace is abundant and overflowing.
Let us beware of the leaven of the Pharisees—hypocrisy, legalism, and the corruption of worldly power. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the true bread of life, who satisfies every hunger and meets every need. May we trust in His provision, not just for our physical needs but for our deepest spiritual needs as well.
Jesus is enough. His bread is enough. He has already given us all we need. Let us not seek more signs, but instead, let us place our full trust in Him, knowing that He is the bread of life given for us all.
