Mark – Chapter 8

New Testament39 Verses

1In those days again, when there was great multitude and they had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them:

2I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

3And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off.

4And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?

5And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.

6And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set before them. And they set them before the people.

7And they had a few little fishes: and he blessed them and commanded them to be set before them.

8And they did eat and were filled: and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets.

9And they that had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away.

10And immediately going up into a ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

11And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

12And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.

13And leaving them, he went up again into the ship and passed to the other side of the water.

14And they forgot to take bread: and they had but one loaf with them in the ship.

15And he charged them saying: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod.

16And they reasoned among themselves, saying: Because we have no bread.

17Which Jesus knowing, saith to them: Why do you reason, because you have no bread? Do you not yet know nor understand? Have you still your heart blinded?

18Having eyes, see you not? And having ears, hear you not? Neither do you remember?

19When I broke the five loves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say to him: Twelve.

20When also the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets of fragments took you up? And they say to him: Seven.

21And he said to them: How do you not yet understand?

22And they came to Bethsaida: and they bring to him a blind man. And they besought him that he would touch him.

23And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the town. And spitting upon his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he saw any thing.

24And looking up, he said: I see men, as it were trees, walking.

25After that again he laid his hands upon his eyes: and he began to see and was restored, so that he saw all things clearly.

26And he sent him into his house, saying: Go into thy house, and if thou enter into the town, tell nobody.

27And Jesus went out, and his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And in the way, he asked his disciples, saying to them: Whom do men say that I am?

28Who answered him, saying: John the Baptist; but some Elias, and others as one of the prophets.

29Then he saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Peter answering said to him: Thou art the Christ.

30And he strictly charged them that they should not tell any man of him.

31And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the ancients and by the high priests and the scribes: and be killed and after three days rise again.

32And he spoke the word openly. And Peter taking him began to rebuke him.

33Who turning about and seeing his disciples, threatened Peter, saying: Go behind me, Satan, because thou savourest not the things that are of God but that are of men.

34And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel shall save it.

36For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?

37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul:

38For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation: the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

39And he said to them: Amen f say to you that there are some of them that stand here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God coming in power.

Reflection for Today

The message of Mark Chapter 8 unfolds within the broader narrative of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God. Catholic theology, drawing on Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515), sees in this chapter a call to deeper faith. The principle that The Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom guides our interpretation.

The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. John Chrysostom, devoted themselves to explaining Scripture for the faithful. Their insights, preserved in the Church's Tradition, continue to illuminate our reading. The Catechism reminds us that "the Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (CIC 103).

As you engage with this chapter, bring your questions, struggles, and hopes to the text. God's Word addresses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the grace to live what we read. May this chapter strengthen your faith and deepen your love for Christ and His Church.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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