The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Jesus withdraws privately after hearing about John, but the crowds follow him. Seeing them, he has compassion and heals their sick. When evening comes, the disciples want the crowds sent away, but Jesus tells them to feed the people, then receives their small supply and draws it to himself.

W¹³hen Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. ¹⁵When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” ¹⁶“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” ¹⁷“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ¹⁸“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said.

Jesus seats the crowds, blesses the loaves and fish, breaks them, and gives them through the disciples. All eat and are satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers remain. The account notes that about five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

¹⁹And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.