Feeding The 5000

A Composite Reading Of

The Feeding Of The Five Thousand

Based on

Matthew 14:13-21: Mark 6:32-44: Luke 9.10-17: John 6:1-14

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he went away, crossing to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee in a boat to a solitary place, to a town called Bethsaida. The crowds learned about it and followed him on foot from the towns, because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick, and got there ahead of them.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. He welcomed the crowd, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.

As evening approached, Jesus said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do, Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” The disciples said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” “Bring them here to me,” Jesus said. Then he directed them to have all the people sit down on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people, He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” The disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish that were left over by those who had eaten. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

I THE POOR MULTITUDE

The crowds . . . followed him on foot from the towns, because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick, and got there ahead of them.

a. THEY CONFESSED THEIR NEED OF HEALING

Hebrews 4:16Let us approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need. [Philips]

whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. [CEV]

b. THEY CONFESSED THEIR NEED OF TEACHING

I Timothy 4:13 Concentrate on your reading and on your preaching and teaching. [Philips]

John 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me. [NIV]

II THE PITYING SAVIOUR

He welcomed the crowd, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.

a. HE SAW THEM AS SHEPHERD-LESS SHEEP

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

b. HE SAW THEM AS HUNGRY PEOPLE

John 6:35 I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.

III THE PUZZLED DISCIPLES

Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” The disciples said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging.”

a. THE PEOPLE HAD A NEED - NO FOOD!

Matthew 10:8 Give as freely as you have received! [NLT]

b. THE PLACE WAS A DESERT - NO SHOPS!

Isaiah 55:2 Why do you give your money for what is not bread, and the fruit of your work for what will not give you pleasure? Give ear to me, so that your food may be good, and you may have the best in full measure. [BBE]