For they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened — the diagnostic explanation of the disciples' inadequate amazement is among the most sobering in Mark. The feeding of the five thousand should have taught them who Jesus is; the lesson was not learned. The hard hearts (pепwrwmenē kardia) echo the language used for Pharaoh (Exodus 4–14) and for the religious opponents of Jesus (Mark 3:5). It is jarring to have the hardness-of-heart language applied to the disciples. The disciples are not enemies of Jesus, but their incomprehension is structural — they are not yet able to hold the category that would make the sea-walking and the feeding into a coherent revelation.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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