Feed 5000

John 6:1-15

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little”. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Notes

Despite certain Jewish people desiring to kill Him, many followed Him. They followed Him because they saw the signs, specifically, the healing of the sick. The author noted two healings in previous chapters—the healing of the invalid and the healing of the child of the Jewish official.

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand (John 6:1- 4).

1. Large Crowd

   The Lord knew what He planned to do, but He tested Philip by asking where to buy bread that the people may eat. Philip answered from a financial angle. He gave the cost estimate to feed the crowd. The estimate was half a year’s wages.

   
   5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little” (John 6:5-7).
   
   

2. Feeding 5000

   Andrew tried to show the contrast between what is available versus the need. But the Lord made the people sit down, then He gave thanks and distributed the bread. He did the same with the fish. The crowd ate as much as they wanted.
   
   8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted (John 6:8-11).
   

3. Prophesied Prophet

   After the leftover food was gathered, there were twelve baskets of bread fragments. The people said that this was indeed the Prophet that was coming. They probably referred to the writing of Moses (Deut. 18:15-19). But the Lord withdrew Himself to the hills when they wanted to make Him king.

   
   12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself (John 6:12-15).

   Application

   1. Engage the Curious

      The Lord rebuked the Jews who did not believe, but He engaged the curious. Jesus did not drive them away. Therefore, we must engage the curious, and we should not drive them away. Some of them might become true believers.
      

   2. Treat them Well

      The Lord Jesus treated them to a meal, which happened to be another miraculous sign. We must treat those who are curious about the Lord Jesus and His word well. Treating them well might be treating them to food and drinks.
      

   3. Show Christ

      The people wanted to make Christ king, but their perspective was earthly. They misunderstood. Christ is Sovereign above all. That is our point of view. He is beyond earthly kings. People today misunderstand who Christ is. Thus, we must explain Christ to people. We must proclaim the gospel.

   Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the crowd follow Him?

2. Narrate highlights of the feeding of the five thousand.

3. What did they perceive Jesus to be? What did Jesus perceive they wanted?