Mark 8:14-21

Mark 8:14-21

[14] Now  the disciples had forgotten  to take  bread,  neither  had  they in  the ship  with  them  one  loaf.  [15] And  he charged  them,  saying,  Take heed,  beware  of  the leaven  of the Pharisees,  and  of the leaven  of Herod.  [16] And  they reasoned  among  themselves,  It is because  we have  no  bread.  [17] And  knew  it, he saith  unto them,  Why  reason ye,  because  ye have  no  bread?  perceive ye  not yet,  neither  understand?  have ye  heart  hardened?  [18] Having  eyes,  see ye  not?  and  having  ears,  hear ye  not?  and  not  remember?  [19] When  I brake  the five  loaves  among  five thousand,  how many  baskets  full  of fragments  took ye up?  They say  unto him,  Twelve.  [20] when  the seven  among  four thousand,  how many  baskets  full  of fragments  took ye up?  Seven.  [21] And  unto them,  understand? 

What does Mark 8:14-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This pericope parallels and recalls Jesus" teaching about bread when He cast the demon out of the Phoenician girl ( Mark 7:24-30). In both cases leavened bread metaphorically represented teaching. The Gentile woman wanted Jesus" teaching and so presented a positive example for the disciples. The Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus" teaching and advanced false teaching, which Jesus warned His disciples to avoid.