New Testament
Mark 6:38
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He asked them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five loaves and two fish."
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He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
What Mark 6:38 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is asking His disciples about the food they have available. He wants them to assess their resources before performing a miracle. The disciples report that they have five loaves of bread and two fish. This moment highlights the importance of recognizing what we have, even if it seems insufficient. Jesus often works with what little we have to accomplish great things. The act of going to see what they have also encourages the disciples to engage actively in the situation rather than passively waiting for a solution. This interaction sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, demonstrating that God can multiply our limited resources when we offer them to Him. It teaches us that even small contributions can lead to significant outcomes when placed in the hands of Jesus.
How to apply Mark 6:38 to your life
When faced with challenges, take stock of your resources and abilities. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by what you lack, consider what you do have. Offer your skills and resources to God, trusting that He can multiply them for greater purposes.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30–44)
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Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
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Keep studying Mark 6:38
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Mark
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Mark 6:38 mean?
In Mark 6:38, Jesus asks His disciples to assess their available food before performing a miracle. This moment emphasizes the importance of recognizing our resources, no matter how limited they may seem.
What is the significance of the five loaves and two fish in Mark 6:38?
The five loaves and two fish represent the small resources the disciples had. This highlights how Jesus can take what seems insufficient and multiply it to meet greater needs.
How does Mark 6:38 relate to faith in action?
In Mark 6:38, the disciples actively engage by checking their resources, demonstrating faith in action. This encourages us to assess what we have and trust that God can use it for greater purposes.
What lesson can we learn from Mark 6:38?
Mark 6:38 teaches us to evaluate our resources and offer them to God. It shows that even small contributions can lead to significant outcomes when placed in Jesus' hands.
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