Feeding of the 5000 vs 4000 in Mark

 

Feeding of the 5000

Feeding of the 4000

Look deeper at the two big feedings in the ministry of Jesus… Mar 6:33-34 33 And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.  34 And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.  Jesus has compassion on them because they as sheep did not have a shepherd 1Pe 2:24-25  24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. The sheep have now been returned to the Shepherd by his death on the cross for us. So before Jesus' death, the sheep were separated from the Shepherd. Mk 6:35-36 35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent; 36 send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat.  Mk 6:37 37 But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred shillings' worth of bread, and give them to eat?  Why does Jesus push his disciples to be the ones to feed the people (his sheep)? Why is it so crucial in this instance that his disciples feed the sheep? Because Jesus is acting out a parable here. What could it be? Mk 6:38 38 And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.  Go to and share: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/Further_Research/Bible/number_in_scripture/default.htm Five is the number of grace. The age of grace…The church age. Two is either the number by which the disciples go out by: two by two or It conveys the meaning of a union, division or the verification of facts by witnesses. A man and woman, though two, are made one in marriage (Genesis 2:23 - 24). There is also a union of 2 between Christ and the church (see 1Corinthians 12). So again, what parable could Jesus be acting out here? Mk 6:39-41 39 And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. Disciples are instructed to do the work and set the loaves before the people…The church age! HUNDRED - Possibly as in having 100 sheep and leaving the 99 to go after the one?; hundredfold as in 30, 60 or 100 fold FIFTY - is the number of jubilee or deliverance. It is the issue of 7 x 7 (72), and points to deliverance and rest following on as the result of the perfect consummation of time.  42 And they all ate, and were filled. 43 And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. 44 And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men. Twelve is metaphoric of 12 disciples….The age of the church. And of course we know that Jesus was making his disciples “fishers of Men”. 5000 may be a symbolic number used typify the fruit of the Church age or age of Grace.  So again, what parable could Jesus be acting out here? His first coming and the establishment of the church age.

Now remember, IF the feeding of the 5000 was metaphoric of the first coming of Jesus, then what would the next feeding (of the 4000) possibly represent?  The second coming of Christ Notice the clues… Mar 8:1 1 In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Any clues?? “In those days…?” Mar 8:2-3 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far.  Jesus has compassion on them because they have been with him three days now and have nothing to eat.  Evidently in this version, he is already their Shepherd And we can assume that God's sheep on day three are famished. Mar 8:4 4 And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?  Desert place - wilderness, solitary place Variation of the word used in these two verses Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Who feeds her? They may nourish her…God? Manchild? Jesus? Rev 12:14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Mar 8:5 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.  https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/Further_Research/Bible/number_in_scripture/seven.htm Seven, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Mar 8:6-9 6 And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them. 8 And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets. 9 And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away. Seven remaining baskets. Seven is also the last day.  Seven is the number for spiritual perfection Remember: Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected.  https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/Further_Research/Bible/number_in_scripture/default.htm

1Co 2:14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

Mar 8:10-15

10 And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. 11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. 13 And he left them, and again entering into the boat departed to the other side. 14 And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. 

1. Leaven of the Pharisees 

1. seeking a sign from heaven and trying Jesus

2. elevating traditions of the elders over God commands if effect nullifying the word of God

3. Being able to read natural signs but not spiritual signs

4. Unwilling to accept miracles as proof of Jesus messiahship

5. The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy - Luke 12:1

2. Leaven of Herod

1. thought Herod to be the Messiah

2. the use of religion for political purposes

3. Herod was involved in a great deal of lying in his political wheeling and dealing, abusing the power of his office, adultery, and general all-around worldliness.

Mark 8:16-17

16 And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread. 17 And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened? 

The disciples lack spiritual understanding

Mark 8:18-21

18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20 And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven. 21 And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand? 

1. Twelve baskets left over - spiritually pointing to the 12 apostles and the age of Grace or the church age; also the time of Jesus's first coming

2. Seven baskets left over - spiritually pointing to the age of manifest sons or age of perfection; pointing to Jesus's second coming

Keep in mind the two-step process of Christ mentioned here

Mark 8:22-24

22 And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him. 23 And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught? 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking. 

1. Jesus brings them to Bethsaida…”house of fish”.

1. Remember the disciples are learning to be “fishers of men”. But don't recognize their own current condition.

2. So Jesus is brought a blind man which represents the current state of the disciples…spiritually blind

3. Jesus takes hold of the blind man, and leads him out of the village

1. Next we encounter step one of a two step process.

1. Jesus spits on his eyes

2. And lays his hands on him

3. And he asks, “Do you see as you ought to see?”

4. “I see men, for I see them as men walking”

2. Does this man see as he ought to see? No

3. Remember this is step one of a two-step process.

1. In the same way that the feeding of the 5000 resulted in the 12 baskets of leftovers. 

2. What did that represent? The church age or the age of grace.

3. If this is still the age of Grace or the church age, do we see as we ought to see (or see correctly)? No

1. 1Co 13:12 

For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

Mark 8:25-26

25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.