Mark 6:42 Meaning and Explanation

Mark records the result in seven plain words: all ate, all were filled. Not a taste apiece but satisfaction, the ancient word for being fed to the full. The supper that did not exist an hour earlier has fed a hillside.

All and filled are the two great words. None went without, and none went away half fed; the generosity of God does not ration. The verse anticipates the bread of life teaching that follows this miracle in another Gospel: the one who comes to Christ shall never hunger. He satisfies, body and soul.