Thematic Bible: The multitude fed


Thematic Bible



When it became evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is deserted and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the towns and buy food [for their supper]." But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you men give them [something] to eat." And they replied, "But we have here [only] five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish." read more.
And He said, "Bring the bread and fish here to me." He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God's blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds. They all ate until they were full, then gathered up twelve baskets full of the remaining broken pieces. Those eating numbered about five thousand men, in addition to the women and children.

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I feel deeply moved over this crowd, because they have continued listening to me for three days now, and have nothing [left] to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry because they will become weak along the way." And the disciples said to Him, "Where will we get enough loaves of bread to feed a large crowd in [such] a deserted place [as this]?" Jesus replied, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They said, "[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish." read more.
Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground, and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds. They all ate until they were full; then gathered up seven baskets full of broken pieces which were left over. The number who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.