The answer is: False

Mark 8 - It was seven loaves and a few fish

This little quiz answer may seem straightforward, but it opens the door to some fascinating insights about the story itself and the nuances of the biblical texts. When we dig into Mark 8:1-10, we see that Jesus fed a gathering of 4,000 people—not to be confused with the more famous feeding of the 5,000 in the earlier accounts. In this version, Jesus started with seven loaves of bread and a "few small fish." Not only was the number of people fed massive, but the leftovers could fill seven baskets—talk about a miraculous super-sized dinner!

What’s even more intriguing is the symbolism of bread and fish in biblical texts. Bread serves as a universal symbol of nourishment and abundance—the regular "staff of life" in many cultures, thereby representing God's provision in a tangible way. Likewise, fish emerges as a potent symbol in early Christianity as the emblem of the disciples where the Greek word for fish, 'ichthus', doubles as an acronym for "Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior."

In these accounts, we witness another facet of Jesus’ teachings, which heartens us to notice collective action and abundance, essentially highlighting the inclusive table of community. Much like the rhythms of harvest and sharing rooted in Jewish tradition, the act of sharing would have reinforced the call to look out for one another, while also emphasizing compassion. Mystery and wonder abound in every miracle; they remind us to explore the deeper significances beyond mere numbers.