Big Idea: Jesus’s ministry in Gentile lands continues with a second feeding miracle that shows the inclusion of the Gentiles in Jesus’s messianic ministry of provision. In contrast, the confrontation and rejection by the Jewish leaders intensifies, leading to Jesus’s christological destiny in Jerusalem.

Understanding the Text

This is part of the longer section 6:31–8:21 described earlier (see “The Text in Context” on 6:31–44), dealing with “failure-faith-failure.” Here, as in 6:31–7:23, a feeding miracle (6:31–44 = 8:1–10) leads into the failure of the disciples (6:45–52 = 8:14–21) as linked with that of the Pharisees (7:1–23 = 8:11–13). Mark now reverses the order of 6:44–7:23, with Jesus using the analogy of the bread to warn against the “yeast,” or spreading evil, of the Pharisees.

I…