Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 8:17

"And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?" — Mark 8:17 (ASV)

Jesus rebuked his disciples for their lack of understanding. They were like those on the outside (cf. 4:11–12) who had eyes but did not see and ears but did not hear. They should not have been so concerned over the bread. They should have remembered how abundantly Jesus had provided for them on two occasions —so much so that on both occasions they had leftover bread to collect. He, the Provider, was with them in the boat. What else could they want or need?