Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 8:16

"And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread." — Mark 8:16 (ASV)

The meaning of v.16 turns on which reading is adopted. It seems best to translate it: “They discussed with one another why they had no bread.” That is, the disciples were so concerned to find out who was to blame for not bringing more bread that they completely ignored Jesus’ warning about the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. As elsewhere in Mark, the disciples lacked understanding.