17 And Jesus, hearing it, said to them, Why are you reasoning among yourselves because you have no bread? do you still not see, and is it still not clear to you? are your hearts so hard? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? and having ears, have you no hearing? and have you no memory? 19 When I made a division of the five cakes of bread among the five thousand, what number of baskets full of broken bits did you take up? They said to him, Twelve. 20 And when the seven among the four thousand, what number of baskets full of broken bits did you take up? And they said to him, Seven. 21 And he said to them, Is it still not clear to you?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 8:17-21

Commentary on Mark 8:11-21

(Read Mark 8:11-21)

Obstinate unbelief will have something to say, though ever so unreasonable. Christ refused to answer their demand. If they will not be convinced, they shall not. Alas! what cause we have to lament for those around us, who destroy themselves and others by their perverse and obstinate unbelief, and enmity to the gospel! When we forget the works of God, and distrust him, we should chide ourselves severely, as Christ here reproves his disciples. How is it that we so often mistake his meaning, disregard his warnings, and distrust his providence?