Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Have you read the Gospel accounts of the Feeding of the Five Thousand? Although the background notes provided in each Bible translation are slightly different, they all focus on Jesus’ miracle of feeding so many people simultaneously. 

As I read the Gospel of John, I’m captivated by its extraordinary stories, including this miracle. Feeding the Five Thousand is a moving and significant story that can be found in all four Gospels. Today’s blog post focuses on this marvelous miracle. You can find this story in the following Scriptures: 

• Matthew 14:13-21
• Mark 6:31-44
• Luke 9:12-17
• John 6:1-15

Many of us have heard the story of Jesus feeding the multitude since childhood. But have we learned everything we can about this miracle? Read on to find out! 

Jesus Felt Deep Compassion for the People

According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the apostles had learned that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist. They understood this would be difficult news for Jesus to receive, plus they might be in some danger from the king. 

In addition, the disciples had returned from their first apostolic mission. They had experienced many things and had adventures to talk about. The disciples were probably also tired and needed a good rest. 

Jesus, in the midst of grieving His cousin, John the Baptist, and the disciples, weary from their first apostolic mission, sought solace away from the crowds. They set off to the mountains, near the city of Bethsaida, in search of rest and respite. 

However, the crowds spotted Jesus and the disciples leaving and followed them. Can you imagine grieving and needing rest yet being faced with a multitude of people expecting you to teach and heal the sick? You’d probably want to tell the multitudes to leave you alone for a time. But that’s not what Jesus did. 

When He saw the crowds following them, Christ had compassion for them. He brought them to a grassy place on the mountain and sat down to teach them. He also healed their sick. 

In Matthew 14:14, the word “compassion” is used. The Greek form of this word (Stong’s G4697) is “splagchnizomai,” which means “to have the bowels yearn” or to feel deep sympathy, to pity. Jesus had a deep, “gut-wrenching” compassion for those who had followed Him. This wasn't a "feel good, do something for someone" kind of compassion. It was a compassion that was tearing up Christ's insides. He loves us this much.

Do you know that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you feel compassion for someone? That is the very feeling Jesus experienced when He looked at the crowd. He was exhausted and grieving, yet He set aside His needs to care for the people out of a deep, grueling compassion. 

The disciples, too, were exhausted and wanted to share their experiences with Jesus and one another. Yet, they obeyed Jesus when He said to care for the people. 

The Good Shepherd

The feeding of the five thousand is an example of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Isaiah foretold Christ caring for His flock in Isaiah 40:11, where it says, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” 

We also have another reference to the Good Shepherd in Ezekiel 34:14, where it says, “As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” 

Isaiah and Ezekiel predicted the Messiah. They were not describing an earthly, political king. They spoke of a Good Shepherd who loves each lamb and sheep in His flock.

In Mark 6:34a, “And Jesus, when he came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So, He began to teach them many things.” Jesus had compassion and mercy on many of the people who came to hear Him teach. We can find numerous examples of Christ’s deep, gut-wrenching compassion across all four Gospels. 

Later in the Book of John, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. You can read this in John 10:14, where He says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.” 

On the day He fed the five thousand, Jesus was acting as the Good Shepherd. He cared for the members of His flock, ensuring that each one had plenty to eat, healed them, and He taught them about God. In spite of His own grief and exhaustion, Christ still cared for His flock. 

It is always so; even today, Christ has a deep, gut-wrenching compassion for us and cares for each of us in ways we don’t even know. 

Jesus Had Foreknowledge 

In John 6:6, it says, “But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” This statement comes after Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people. Christ asked Philip to find food, and he responded by asking, “Where will we find bread for everyone to eat?” 

Remember, they were out of town and had nowhere to buy food. Philip had no idea how to solve this dilemma, even though he and the other disciples had already seen Jesus perform many miracles. They had recognized Jesus as the Messiah! 

The disciples forgot that Jesus had the authority and ability to feed everyone on that mountain or in the world! The Son of God has all power and authority. If He had wanted, Jesus could have made food appear before each person seated there in the grass that day. The disciples forgot this as they pondered how to feed everyone. But Jesus knew exactly what He would do and He knew this in advance. 

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, told Jesus they had found a small boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. He asked Jesus how this could possibly feed so many. As I type this, I heard Jesus say, “O ye of little faith!” (You can find this verse in Matthew 8:26). 

Remember, these men had just returned from preaching, teaching, and performing miracles themselves! Yet they were not able to understand that Jesus could feed the multitude with one word. 

How often are we like the disciples when things are hard? We don’t remember that God can help in ways we can’t see or understand. He is the Sovereign King of the Universe, so how can we doubt? He knows in advance how He will help us, just like Jesus knew how He would feed the five thousand that day on the mountain.

A Traditional Miracle or a “Social Miracle”? 

In researching this blog post, I came across an article that said feeding the five thousand may have been a miracle in the traditional sense. However, some believe that the miracle was a social miracle. 

They explained that some of the multitude may have brought food with them. When these people saw those who had nothing to eat, they had compassion and shared what they had. The result would have been a social miracle. I don’t believe this was the case. Why? 

John 6:14 calls this miracle a “sign” that Jesus performed. So, it’s obvious Jesus performed a miracle. It was not a “social miracle.” There’s a huge difference between the two. 

The definition of a miracle, according to Merriam-Webster’s  online dictionary, is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” This definition perfectly describes the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. 

Can you imagine being in this situation? You and your family are seated on the grass, learning from Jesus. Then He and the disciples say they will give food to everyone! If you’re seated far away from Christ and the disciples, you may not be aware that this is a miracle. But those who were closer know what’s happened and how. Think of the many people who may not have realized the miracle they experienced—directly from the hands of Jesus! 

Leftovers from Feeding the Five Thousand

When everyone had eaten their fill, Jesus asked the disciples to take up the leftovers. They gathered twelve baskets of food. Each person there was stuffed and completely satisfied. What a miracle that was! 

In Hebrews 13:8 NKJV, we read, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That means He is eternal and unchanging. This same Jesus who fed the multitude continues to feed His flock (us) today. He doesn’t feed us with leftover spiritual food but with the true spiritual food given through the Holy Spirit. We can count on Christ to help us with whatever we’re facing. Nothing is outside of His ability to do, even dividing five bread loaves and two small fish among five thousand people. 

Jesus Was Obedient

After spending time with Jesus, listening to His teachings, and experiencing the miracle He performed in feeding everyone, some of the men decided that Jesus was truly the Prophet predicted by Moses (see Deuteronomy 18:15). The men determined that Jesus was the Messiah and now it was time to make Him king.

Jesus knew this was happening. He also knew that it was not the right time to be proclaimed King over God’s kingdom. He realized the men were going to take Him and force Him to be a king. So, Jesus left and went further into the mountain to be alone. 

Jesus is our example in this, too. He was obedient to God and to His plan of redemption. Christ was not sent here to become an earthly, political king. Would it be tempting to be made a king or queen? Maybe, but Christ was obedient to God’s word. So, He left to rest, pray, and grieve. He knew the time of God’s kingdom would come later. 

How obedient are we to God’s plan for our lives? Most of us have spent years “doing our own thing” rather than heeding God and His purpose for us. What could we have accomplished for the Lord if we had listened and followed Him earlier in life? 

The Good News

The Good News is that God never changes—He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If we flub up and spend years in disobedience, our Father yet has mercy on us. Even if we come to Him in the later years of our lives, He can still use us if we permit Him. 

God is merciful and loves each one of us. He loves you, and He loves me. We are His children, even if we’re disobedient. Sure, we sometimes have to suffer the consequences of our disobedience. Even so, God provides for us and loves us through those consequences if we turn to Him. 

We can always count on our Good Shepherd to care for each one of us, just like He cared for the multitude of people when He fed the five thousand. 

Why not draw near to God today if you haven’t already? Experience the forgiveness, the love, and provision only He can provide. You won’t be sorry you did! 

God bless,

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