Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 8:1-4

"In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far. And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?" — Mark 8:1-4 (ASV)

Why did they not ask their Master what he could do in such an emergency as that? After so much experience of his power as they had already had, it is wonderful that they did not refer the matter to him, and say, "Lord, you can feed the multitude; we implore you to do it." But they did not act so wisely; instead, they began questioning about ways and means. "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?"