New Testament
Mark 8:19
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus is reminding His disciples of the miracle He performed when He fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread.
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
When I broke the 5 loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" They answered, "12."
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is reminding His disciples of the miracle He performed when He fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread. He asks them how many baskets of leftovers they collected after the meal, to which they respond that they gathered twelve baskets. This question serves to highlight the abundance of God's provision and the importance of recognizing His power in seemingly impossible situations. The disciples had witnessed this miracle firsthand, yet Jesus uses it to teach them about faith and reliance on Him. The number of baskets signifies that God not only meets our needs but often exceeds them, providing more than enough. This moment is a call for the disciples to remember the miracles they have seen and to trust in Jesus' ability to provide in the future, even when circumstances seem dire.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Mark 8:19 to your life
This verse encourages us to remember the times God has provided for us in the past. When facing challenges, we should reflect on His faithfulness and trust that He can meet our needs again. Keeping a record of God's blessings can strengthen our faith during difficult times.
Curated for this public verse page. Mark Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Mark 8:19 mean?
Mark 8:19 refers to Jesus reminding His disciples of the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread. He asks them how many baskets of leftovers they collected, which emphasizes God's abundant provision and the importance of faith.
What is the significance of the number twelve in Mark 8:19?
The number twelve in Mark 8:19 represents the twelve baskets of leftovers collected after feeding the 5,000. This signifies that God not only meets our needs but often provides abundantly beyond what we expect.
How does Mark 8:19 relate to faith?
Mark 8:19 relates to faith by reminding the disciples of a past miracle, encouraging them to trust in Jesus' power to provide in future situations. It serves as a lesson in recognizing God's faithfulness.
What lesson can we learn from Mark 8:19?
From Mark 8:19, we learn the importance of remembering God's past provisions to strengthen our faith during challenging times. It encourages us to trust that God can meet our needs, even in difficult circumstances.

The Book of Mark
Mark 1: John the Baptist and the Beginning of Jesus's Ministry
John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from Judaea and Jerusalem come to him, confess their sins, and are baptized in the river Jordan. John wears camel's hair and a leather belt and eats locusts and wild honey. He announces that someone stronger than he is coming after him and says he is not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals. He baptizes with water, but the one coming will baptize with the Holy Ghost.
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