Disciples' hardened hearts about miracles

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MaryM

Well-known member
Nov 25, 2022
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#1
In Mark Chapter 6 verses 52 it says the disciples 'considered not' the miracle of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened'.

What is the meaning and connotation of this? It seems incredible that they were not impressed by the feeding of the 5000.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,613
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#2
The miracle of the loaves had not caused them to recognize who Jesus really was. Mark 6:51 says: "Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased." God alone has the power to command the wind and the waves. For example Psalms 107:29, "He calms the storm, So that its waves are still." No doubt they were amazed because they had seen a mighty miracle (the loaves and fishes), but they didn't connect the dots; they were unable to fully understand.

At least that's my take.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,025
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#3
I believe a hardened heart is a lofty one, not yet humbled. What did it take to finally humble Peter? Jesus showing him that he wasn't "Peter the Brave" as he'd boasted (of himself) to be.

This thought takes me to more consideration of the account where Peter stepped out of the boat. Did he step out in faith toward Jesus to "help" him, or did he step out, initially, thinking, "I, too, can do this"?

"Without Me, you can do nothing."
 
Dec 24, 2023
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#4

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
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#5
In Mark 8 Jesus asked them how many baskets were left over when He fed the 4 & 5 thousand which they answered correctly. Then Jesus gave them the punch line! Do you not Understand!
 

montana123

Well-known member
Oct 9, 2021
761
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#6
In Mark Chapter 6 verses 52 it says the disciples 'considered not' the miracle of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened'.

What is the meaning and connotation of this? It seems incredible that they were not impressed by the feeding of the 5000.
Mar 6:47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
Mar 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Mar 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
Mar 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
Mar 6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
Mar 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

When Jesus walked on water, and then He came into the ship, and the wind ceased, they were amazed that this happened, but why would they be amazed when Jesus multiplied bread, and fishes, for the people, which they should of known that He could do great miracles as if He did not do something great before that time of walking on the sea.

Despite being eyewitnesses to God's power in the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites did not trust God to help them conquer Canaan, so he set them wandering in the desert for 40 years until that generation was dead.

Why would they doubt God could deliver the people of Canaan in to their hands if they seen the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea.

Mar 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mar 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Mar 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mar 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Mar 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

They seen Jesus multiply bread, and fishes, so why would they cry they have no bread when Jesus can produce food.
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
858
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#7
I have posted this before but it's been some time. here is Part 1


Parables and stories are there to alert us things which are shortly coming to pass and for me none is greater than the story of the feeding of the 4 and 5 thousand.
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“Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8
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What a question? Do you not understand? Well, first the baskets. From the Greek manuscripts we see a portent concerning the baskets. The basket used to feed the 5000 was a kophino, and the basket used to feed the 4000 was a spuris. This holds true in all 4 gospels whenever the baskets are mentioned, as well in the book of Acts. The kophino basket used to feed the 5000 was jewish because when the people followed Jesus across Lake Galilie he was asked questions only a jew was asked, such as, " Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness.
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As for the basket used to feed the 4000, Jesus had left the area of Tyre and Sidon in Lebanon and approached the area of Decapolis. Decapolis was a group of ten cities given to the Greeks for their assistance during the times of conquering the territory. When Apostle Paul was fleeing Damascus, he was let down over the wall in a spuris basket---A Gentile basket in a Gentile city. So we can easily say the kophino basket used to feed the 5000 was jewish and the spuris basket used to feed the 4000 was Gentile. Strongs Concordance for kophino is #2894 and for spuris #4711.
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
858
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#8
Part 2

Now to the feeding of the 4 & 5 thousand. If the Lord had wanted, He could have made it come out to the very crumb as to what was needed to feed the multitude. The miracle was the multiplication of food and we will feed them just as Jesus did! The jews were fed with 5 loaves and 2 fish, and the gentiles with 7 loaves and a few (2) fish.
Feeding of the 5000
5 loaves times 2 fish = 10
5000 divided by 10 = 500
500 times 12 baskets left over = 6000
6000 years


For in so many days the world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. Irenaeus, taught by Polycarp a hearer of Apostle John

Attend, my children, to the meaning of this expression, He finished in six days. This implies that the Lord will finish all things in six thousand years, for a day is with Him a thousand years. And He Himself testifies, saying, Behold, today will be as a thousand years. Therefore, my children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, all things will be finished. And He rested on the seventh day. This means: when His Son, coming [again], shall destroy the time of the wicked man, and judge the ungodly, and change the-sun, and the moon, and the stars, then shall He truly rest on the seventh day. Barnabas--named an apostle in Acts 14

Feeding of the 4000
7 loaves times 2 fish = 14
4000 divided by 14 = 285.7143
Blessing left over are multiplied
7 baskets left over times 285.7143 =2000
2000 years
This is the number of years till his return. This time is called--The time of the gentiles, all are gentile christians in this story of the 4000..
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,281
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#9
(excerpt from Article)

For their heart was hardened;
or "blinded"; not by sin, or against Christ, much less in a judicial way: but there was a great deal of dulness and stupidity, and want of attention in them. The glory of Christ, which he manifested, and showed forth in his miracles, was not so clearly and fully discerned, attended to, and acknowledged by them, at it might reasonably be thought it would; for notwithstanding these miracles, which they daily saw, they stood in need of divine illuminations, that the darkness of their minds being removed, they might behold the glory of Christ, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father

(here)


Mark 6:52 - Bible Verse Meaning and Commentary - Bible Study …

(this is actually from Gill's Exposition)
 

MaryM

Well-known member
Nov 25, 2022
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#10
In Mark 8 Jesus asked them how many baskets were left over when He fed the 4 & 5 thousand which they answered correctly. Then Jesus gave them the punch line! Do you not Understand!
Jesus must wonder all the time exactly how stupid we can be. He couldn't actually have done more for us and still people choose not to believe. If feeding 5000 with almost nothing is not a miracle, what is?