The Feeding of the 5,000 - John 6:1-15 - According to the Fifth Gospel

Jesus' "feeding of the 5000" can be found in all four gospels.  Each narrative varies to some degree in the details.  The gospel writer of John provides one distinct detail, the small boy who without urging offered up his lunch.  His contribution stands forever in contrast to that of the adults in the story.  "What are they among so many?"  (Treasurers, take heed).

Here are some of the other details according to the Fifth Gospel:

• John and Luke refer to the Sea as "Tiberias."
• Three of the accounts identify the location only as a "deserted place."  This designation does not indicate a wilderness but a "pasturing place."  The grass is green.  Only Luke places the miracle at Bethsaida.
• Jesus has the crowd sit to receive their meal which might point to the wilderness tradition in Exodus of having Israel sit in groups of fifty and one hundred.  Perhaps Jesus was simply into crowd control.
• Certainly Jesus reveals himself as the "new manna from heaven" and "the prophet" through this fourth sign (John has seven signs).
• Mark and Matthew provide a second "feeding" story which takes place on the "other side" of the Sea, the Gentile side.  Unlike in the first story where twelve baskets are taken up, seven baskets are collected here.  The exciting interpretation is that "God's abundance is sufficient for all, Jews and Gentiles."

This narrative is appropriate for the summer months and outdoor worship and church picnics.

The Mosaic from the Church of the Multiplication at Present Day Tabgha