John 6:1-14

The feeding of the 5000 -- John 6:1-14: The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle recorded by all the gospel writers other than those miracles associated with Jesus' death and resurrection. A great multitude followed Jesus because they had seen His miracles. Jesus asked Philip where they could buy food for so many people. He was testing Philip. Philip saw feeding the multitude as an impossible task. Andrew saw some resources but they were so small; five barley loaves and two small fish. The people were fed in an orderly way. "Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." (John 6:10-11) They sat in small groups and about 5,000 men beside women and children were fed. The food was given to the people only after it was blessed or thanks was given for it. Everyone ate what they wanted and "they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten." (John 6:13) There was more food left than there was at the beginning! The reaction of those who saw the miracle was "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world." (John 6:14)