Boy Holding Loaves and Fish in a BasketBible World
6:9John 6:9
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
A boy among the crowd on the mountainside had five barley loaves and two small fishes, the plain daily food of fisher folk, which Andrew reported while asking what such a store was among so many thousands. Jesus had the people seated in orderly companies, took the loaves, gave thanks and blessed them, and had the disciples distribute them with the fishes to all as much as they would until above ten thousand were satisfied and twelve baskets of fragments were gathered. Placed in His hands what seemed hopelessly insufficient became more than enough, teaching that people are to offer the little means, time and ability they have rather than hold back because it looks inadequate. The temporal supply opened the way for Him to give Himself as the bread of life sent from heaven, to be received and lived by as spiritual nourishment unto everlasting life. The abundant provision wrought by creative power through His humanity was a sign of His divinity and compassion, showing He understands bodily need and will not send the hungry away fasting.
Historical Setting
The saying belongs to the feeding of five thousand men besides women and children, at one reckoning above ten thousand persons, on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee when the Passover was at hand. Jesus had withdrawn with His disciples to a secluded place for peaceful quiet, but the multitude missed Him and followed, some noting the direction He had gone, many going by land and others following in boats across the water. Bands of pilgrims from far and near on their way to Jerusalem gathered to see Him until the great company was assembled, and the multitude was waiting before He reached the shore, yet He landed unobserved and spent a little time apart with the disciples.
They had followed because they saw His miracles on the diseased, and His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts while His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced them. After His rest with the disciples was interrupted and broken He was not impatient at being robbed of rest but His heart was stirred with sympathy because He saw a greater necessity demanding His attention. He was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, receiving no help from the priests and rulers, and leaving His retreat He found a convenient place where He could minister to them, teaching the multitude the way of salvation as the healing waters of life flowed from Him. They had been all day without food in a desert place where no more could be obtained, and about five thousand men besides women and children grew weary and hungry and faint.
Knowing their need He tested the disciples by asking Philip where bread could be bought and by saying, Give ye them to eat, though He already knew how to provide. Philip answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each of the crowd even a little, not nearly enough for each to take a little. Andrew then reported that there was a lad present who had five barley loaves and two small fishes, while questioning what so little was among so many.
Jesus directed that the meager store be brought to Him. He had the men, about five thousand in number, sit down where there was much grass, seating the people on the grass in orderly companies of fifty and a hundred, in parties of fifty or a hundred, to preserve order so all might witness what He was about to do.
Humble Food Available
The only food to be found was a lad's or boy's five barley loaves and two small fishes. It was humble fare, the ordinary daily food of the fisher folk about Galilee and the Sea of Galilee. In the Saviour's use of it a humble, everyday offering was honored as the means through which He served others. When it was brought to Him and placed in His hands it sufficed by divine power to feed the multitude, showing that God can meet human need through what is available. Andrew pointed to it in answer to the inquiry what food could be found among the company, after the question to Philip about buying bread had been asked to test faith and Philip had answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each even a little. Jesus directed that the lad's food be brought to Him and had the people seated on the grass in parties of fifty or a hundred to preserve order so that all might witness what He was about to do. The simple food passed round by the hands of the disciples contained a whole treasure of lessons, for He could have spread a rich repast but did not, teaching that God's natural provisions had been perverted and that food prepared merely for gratification of appetite and perverted taste conveys no lesson for good, while rest and simple food far from human habitations bring true enjoyment.
That store was plainly far too little for the vast assembly in the desert place where no more food could be obtained. It was a slender, meager store belonging to a lad, scarcely enough for twenty people or for a small group, and nothing by ordinary human power among so many thousands of five thousand men besides women and children. No human power could make that supply feed so many, yet Jesus would not let the crowd go hungry and grow faint on the way home, though He already knew how to provide and asked about the food to test His disciples' faith. He created from it food sufficient to feed thousands bountifully until all were satisfied, and the food did not diminish as He gave it to the disciples to distribute. After everyone had eaten the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets. His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity, and while eating the food He provided they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other one could do so mighty a miracle.
The question, what are they among so many, highlights the apparent insufficiency of the five loaves and two fishes before the great crowd. It reflects feeble faith that trusts what can be seen rather than God's power to multiply, though Christ could multiply the food. It is the same unbelief shown by Elisha's servant when pointing to a small supply as plainly inadequate for feeding the multitude. After blessing the food Christ distributed it through the disciples until the crowd had enough, teaching that God supplies temporal needs and that spiritual gifts are freely given, not bought, while directing minds from the food to Himself as the Bread of eternal life. What seems insufficient in human hands becomes more than enough in the Lord's hands when people obey His work and trust Him to bless their gifts.
Miraculous Multiplication
Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and blessed them, broke the food, and gave it through the disciples to those who were seated, and likewise distributed of the fishes as much as they desired. The food multiplied in the distribution and increased in the hands of those who distributed it, not diminishing as it was broken and passed from hand to hand through the disciples. It remained undiminished until the multitude had eaten and all were satisfied. The small store had been brought to Him at His direction after Andrew reported it, and it became the means by which He fed the hungry multitude.
The miracle fed five thousand men besides women and children. It is described as above ten thousand persons, and in some accounts as about ten thousand, including five thousand men with women and five thousand children. After all had eaten, the remaining fragments were gathered so that nothing would be lost, filling twelve baskets. One account describes that gathering as five or seven baskets full.
The feeding was wrought by creative and divine power, the limited supply being increased to sufficiency through His humanity united with divinity. It was done in full reliance on the Father, never wrought to exalt His power or to add glory to the disciples, but wrought intelligently as necessity occurred to satisfy hunger. He could have spread a rich repast but used humble fare instead, teaching that God's natural provisions had been perverted and that food prepared merely for gratification of appetite conveys no lesson for good, while rest and simple food bring true enjoyment. The actions of the miracle, including the command to gather the fragments, were not only about saving food but were meant to leave a lasting impression on those who witnessed them.
Christ the Bread of Life
John 6 stands as the revelation of Christ as the Bread of Life sent down from heaven to give life to the world. It plainly expresses God's will for His people and holds the divine antidote for the sin of the whole world. It defines His righteousness and holds most precious lessons for all educated in schools, an education that endures through time and eternity when its truths are brought into practical life. The whole chapter is very instructive yet is only faintly understood, and students are to take in Christ's words there to understand their privileges and what He is to them individually and what advantage comes from eating His words. His words are spirit and life, and He Himself is the great center of life.
Eating the flesh of the Son of God and drinking His blood means receiving His words, assimilating them, and living by what God has revealed. Its truths are to be made part of the soul and part of daily life, obeyed rather than set aside for human suppositions. The Bible contains that bread sent down from heaven, the food from which men and women are built up spiritually. This stands in contrast to the books and magazines flooding the world that lead the mind astray and hinder spiritual growth. Those ministering in word and doctrine must therefore not be dull to understand these important statements but must study them prayerfully, asking God for clearness of understanding.
That feeding on Christ must become part of actual experience and not theory. It is learned as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, which is the very education every student needs. It is the same as being truly converted and born again and seeing the kingdom of God, obtained by opening the mind to the entrance of God's word with determination to practice it, which gives light and understanding to the simple. When it is obtained the frivolous life is changed, the common level is forsaken, the feet are placed upon Christ Jesus as the first round of the ladder, and step by step heavenward Christ is revealed in spirit, words, and actions as lively stones built up a spiritual house. The sixth chapter shows how eternal life is gained by cherishing in the heart the truth that works by love and purifies the soul.
The instruction of the chapter includes education about the law of Jehovah and the penalty for transgression, and that God accepts the ransom made by the Saviour in behalf of those who are obedient to that law. Accepting the righteousness of Christ defined there puts the wedding garment on the believer and joins humanity with divinity in a character fit to remain as a guest at the wedding. Without that acceptance there is presumption, measuring character by human ideas, continuing in sin, and loss of the soul. The Word of God as the bread of life, representing the body and blood of the Son of God, does not address the understanding alone but aims at the heart, addresses the moral nature, takes possession of the will, casts down imaginations and every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Its light reflects back on earlier ages and gives significance to the Jewish system, for Christ's work as substitute for sin was ancient Israel's only hope even before His death, and the New Testament does not replace the Old, whose directions for practical holiness and obedience remain relevant to Christian life.
The small substance of temporal food enlarged by miracle opened the way to place Christ in the chair of instruction as a field preacher on the hill, sitting with authority as teacher to give the people the Word which is the bread of life. The miracle lays the foundation for His lesson that the Word must be brought home to the understanding so that mind and soul are filled with its greatness and power, that He is the bread of God come down from heaven to give life to the world. He made the miracle the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God, including death to self and self-denial. As temporal bread imparts health and strength to the body, so faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings give spiritual vigor to the soul and life everlasting. That deeper meaning many did not understand, for they sought Him not because they saw the miracles but because they ate and were filled, coming only for temporal advantage.
Divine Care and Power
The five barley loaves and two small fishes were the only food at hand for five thousand men besides women and children, and Jesus increased them by creative power until all ate and were satisfied. He did so from compassion for a weary, hungry multitude that had followed to hear Him, pitying their physical need as well as their spiritual need and refusing to send them home fasting lest they faint on the way. He knew a tired, hungry throng could not receive spiritual benefit without bodily relief, so He provided for the body to open the way for the soul. His benevolent care is not confined to that day, for He still understands bodily need and can give knowledge by which people may obtain food.
The power that multiplied the loaves is the same divine power that every day multiplies seed into harvest through rain, air, sunshine, and human labor to feed millions and sustain life. The work of growing grain and preparing bread can hide God's agency, leading people to credit only nature or human effort and to misuse His gifts selfishly instead of receiving them as blessings. People should recognize His hand in daily provision and give Him the glory rather than ascribing sustenance to natural causes alone. The desert place with no apparent supply teaches dependence on God when need exceeds human resources, while His workers must also use wisdom, avoid recklessly creating difficulty, follow His instructions, and then seek His help with confidence.
Though able to supply any quantity in a moment, He required the fragments to be gathered so nothing would be lost. By the touch of His hand God increases scanty provision and makes it enough for all, able to multiply it a hundredfold and to spread a table in the wilderness for more than a million people. When need requires, Jesus can provide food by instantaneous miracle, and He can bless human labor to supply present needs today. He who wrought this wonder walked the earth in lowliness and poverty, yet He is greater than Moses, the Coming One who guided and fed Israel in the wilderness with bread and clear flowing streams and who declared, Before Abraham was, I AM.
No human power could make that slender store in a desert place feed thousands bountifully until all were satisfied, so the abundant provision was a work of divine power. His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts, and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity; while eating the food He provided they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other could do so mighty a miracle. The contrast between the boy's meager supply and the great crowd led them to recognize Him as the prophet foretold by Moses. Seeing the Father's power thus revealed should have helped the disciples recognize the Father in Him and anchored their faith to endure through His suffering and death.
Crowd Response and Aftermath
His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts, and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity. While eating the food He provided from five barley loaves and two small fishes, which no human power could make sufficient for thousands of men besides women and children until all were satisfied, they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other one could do so mighty a miracle. Evidence was heaped upon evidence sufficient to convince any mind open to evidence, and the thoughtful and candid who witnessed it were led to take exalted views of His character and office.
Many followed because they thought His power would help them in temporal necessities, hoping He would be exalted to David's throne and give them the highest place. They wanted Him to give health, strength and riches to all, to free them from their oppressors and the Roman yoke, and to raise them to earthly power and honor. Their later pursuit was for the loaves that satisfied physical hunger, not because the miracle had convinced them of His divinity, but for material benefit rather than faith in Him. They sought Him because they ate and were filled, wanting the meat that perishes and not that which endures to everlasting life, and refusing the meaning that faith in Christ and obedience give spiritual vigor and life everlasting.
The feeding became a turning point for Judas, who himself shared in distributing the food to the hungry multitude and saw the relief and joy Christ brought. He used the crowd's enthusiasm over the miracle to set on foot the project to take Jesus by force and make Him king in Jerusalem, expecting Jesus to be crowned king on David's throne and expecting for himself the first place next to Christ in the new kingdom. Jesus refused the earthly crown and rebuked the move with greater authority than usual, and after the miracle His popularity began to wane. That rebuke provoked Judas and made him more separated in feeling and love from Jesus, and his worldly hopes ended in bitter disappointment.
Christ made the miracle the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth Himself as the Bread of life and the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. When they heard those demands for death to self and self-denial, many who had followed for temporal advantages apostatized almost immediately afterward and walked no more with Him. The miracle stands joined to Christ walking on the water and to that declaration after which some of His disciples turned from Him. Those who later asked for a sign had been among those He fed and had witnessed the feeding of the multitude, yet they closed their eyes to that light, wanted Him to repeat it, hoped to learn how He increased the food, and rejected its call to awaken faith and lead them to accept Him as the Son of God and the Bread of life.
News of the miracle spread so widely that people returned to the place the next morning seeking Jesus. The breaking and dividing of bread and fish on the mountainside was later recalled when the risen Jesus shared bread and fish with the disciples and bade them come and dine. When He broke the bread and the fish and divided it among the seven on the shore, that former miracle was brought distinctly to their minds with mysterious awe and silence, and seeing it made Him known and acknowledged by all seven. The later miracle of the draught of fishes was to make the former miracle of the loaves and fishes more impressive, to show that though deprived of the personal companionship of their Master and of sustenance from fishing, a resurrected Saviour had care over them and would provide for them while they were doing His work, and that laboring in connection with Him with His divine power uniting with their human effort would not fail of success. The earlier miracle thus reminded them that Jesus cared for them and could provide what they needed while they did His work.
Giving What You Have
Placed in Christ's hands, the boy's five small barley loaves and two small fishes, ordinary daily food of fisher folk about Galilee and plainly far too little for so many thousands, sufficed to feed the multitude. What seems hopelessly insufficient becomes more than enough in the Lord's hands, for He can bless and multiply a small provision so that it meets great needs. People should therefore offer the means, time and ability they have to meet others' needs rather than hold back because resources seem too small, making the best use of what they have and trusting Him to bless it. Honest, simple reliance on Him is rewarded, and a meager supply given with an unselfish heart can become a rich feast, honoring a humble everyday offering through which He serves others.
The disciples served as channels between Christ and the people, receiving from Him and passing on to others what He had received from the Father. Those united to Christ receive the bread of life from Him and share spiritual nourishment with others, for their own resources cannot meet the soul's needs and they can give only what they receive from Christ. Their hands were never empty as they reached back to Him, and as they kept imparting they kept receiving, the gift increasing in the distribution. They act as helpers and instruments of His work rather than keeping what they receive for themselves, so its success and glory belong to God, not to them.
Like Andrew, people may lose heart when resources appear inadequate and hesitate to give what they have for others. Workers should not be discouraged, measure advance by means at hand, or conclude they can do nothing because what can be seen looks too small beside the great need. Christ's command to feed the hungry stands behind them with the same power that fed the multitude, and being connected with Him calls for doing one's best even when it is not much, then casting the helpless soul on Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer with a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. He accepts limited abilities and resources put to work, blesses the scant supply, and multiplies what is entrusted to Him until everyone has enough, showing the greatness of the resources God provides for those who serve Him.
The question, What are these among so many, also applies to temptations that can feel overwhelming. Commercialism is one such danger, diverting attention and time from the daily privilege of coming to Jesus and telling Him what is needed until ambition gains power in the heart.
The feeding prepares disciples for work as His representatives to give spiritually hungry people the bread of life. Feeling too weak and empty to meet the needs before them, they must seek spiritual food from God, the source of supply, so they will have something to give and will not turn anyone away unfed. Its methods can guide practical work, carried out simply and without selfish interests, sharing with the needy of every rank and nation what is received from Him, with temporal and spiritual blessings accompanying that giving. Those who work together with God in this way carry out Christ's purpose.
Small means given with thanksgiving, prayer and unselfish service are multiplied and blessed by the Lord just as the food given to the disciples was multiplied to feed the five thousand men besides women and children until all were satisfied. Wisely used gifts increase in distribution, and when the best use is made of the means available God enables His workers to feed multitudes starving for the bread of life. Even when resources are scant people are to share what they have, show hospitality, consider those who lack the truth, and waste nothing, and such intelligent, self-denying, self-sacrificing gifts for soul-saving work enlarge generosity for His work and provide tact, skill and understanding.
The same Provider gives wisdom, skill, talent and ingenuity to devise means to feed the hungry and to manufacture necessary, wholesome, inexpensive foods to be sold to the poor at as low a rate as possible, a food business that is one of the Lord's own instrumentalities to supply human necessity. He will not leave His people in ignorance but will teach them how to prepare the best foods for all times and occasions, work more needed in the Southern states than in any other part of America and to be made the subject of earnest prayer. His gifts, including knowledge about producing food, are not to be restricted to a favored few, and no human being is to be put where God should be or forbid others from work God has given them.
God's truth multiplies as it is distributed, and those who dedicate themselves to God may receive the Holy Spirit to share with people in need. The disciples also ate from the provision they handed out, with temporal and spiritual blessings accompanying that giving.
Economy Without Waste
After hunger was met from five barley loaves and two small fishes, the remaining food was ordered to be gathered so that nothing would be lost, teaching careful economy and thrift especially in time of need. Though any quantity could have been supplied in a moment by creative power, every fragment was required to be saved, showing that industry, frugality and faithful use of Providence are required and that bounties are not to be squandered in aimless waste. What is provided is to be used as gifts from His hand, valued and preserved as works of help, teaching dependence for life, food, health and breath.
Food and other useful things and resources are not to be wasted but are to be carefully saved, economically used, and shared with the hungry. Even when one person cannot feed everyone, faithful use of what is entrusted can feed some and help share the bread of life with needy souls. The fragments gathered illustrate sharing spiritual bread with others, for truth increases as it passes from Christ to receivers, and even a fragment carrying present truth for this time can influence a seeker.
The same divine power that fed five thousand men besides women and children with five loaves and two fishes was present in daily labor to support the family, yet it was not used to lessen personal burdens and toil, showing that useful labor is honorable. Supplying temporal food to the hungry opened the way to place Christ in the chair of instruction as a field preacher giving the Word which is the bread of life, and prepared the way for Him in many places. So deeds of mercy open a door and bring reputation before large numbers for disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, speak the truth in love, repeat the impression made on hearts, and gather all His words without wasting a fragment, since the miracle was wrought not to exalt power or add glory to disciples but intelligently as necessity occurred to satisfy hunger.
A boy among the crowd on the mountainside had five barley loaves and two small fishes, the plain daily food of fisher folk, which Andrew reported while asking what such a store was among so many thousands. Jesus had the people seated in orderly companies, took the loaves, gave thanks and blessed them, and had the disciples distribute them with the fishes to all as much as they would until above ten thousand were satisfied and twelve baskets of fragments were gathered. Placed in His hands what seemed hopelessly insufficient became more than enough, teaching that people are to offer the little means, time and ability they have rather than hold back because it looks inadequate. The temporal supply opened the way for Him to give Himself as the bread of life sent from heaven, to be received and lived by as spiritual nourishment unto everlasting life. The abundant provision wrought by creative power through His humanity was a sign of His divinity and compassion, showing He understands bodily need and will not send the hungry away fasting.
Historical Setting
The saying belongs to the feeding of five thousand men besides women and children, at one reckoning above ten thousand persons, on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee when the Passover was at hand. Jesus had withdrawn with His disciples to a secluded place for peaceful quiet, but the multitude missed Him and followed, some noting the direction He had gone, many going by land and others following in boats across the water. Bands of pilgrims from far and near on their way to Jerusalem gathered to see Him until the great company was assembled, and the multitude was waiting before He reached the shore, yet He landed unobserved and spent a little time apart with the disciples.
They had followed because they saw His miracles on the diseased, and His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts while His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced them. After His rest with the disciples was interrupted and broken He was not impatient at being robbed of rest but His heart was stirred with sympathy because He saw a greater necessity demanding His attention. He was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, receiving no help from the priests and rulers, and leaving His retreat He found a convenient place where He could minister to them, teaching the multitude the way of salvation as the healing waters of life flowed from Him. They had been all day without food in a desert place where no more could be obtained, and about five thousand men besides women and children grew weary and hungry and faint.
Knowing their need He tested the disciples by asking Philip where bread could be bought and by saying, Give ye them to eat, though He already knew how to provide. Philip answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each of the crowd even a little, not nearly enough for each to take a little. Andrew then reported that there was a lad present who had five barley loaves and two small fishes, while questioning what so little was among so many.
Jesus directed that the meager store be brought to Him. He had the men, about five thousand in number, sit down where there was much grass, seating the people on the grass in orderly companies of fifty and a hundred, in parties of fifty or a hundred, to preserve order so all might witness what He was about to do.
Humble Food Available
The only food to be found was a lad's or boy's five barley loaves and two small fishes. It was humble fare, the ordinary daily food of the fisher folk about Galilee and the Sea of Galilee. In the Saviour's use of it a humble, everyday offering was honored as the means through which He served others. When it was brought to Him and placed in His hands it sufficed by divine power to feed the multitude, showing that God can meet human need through what is available. Andrew pointed to it in answer to the inquiry what food could be found among the company, after the question to Philip about buying bread had been asked to test faith and Philip had answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not give each even a little. Jesus directed that the lad's food be brought to Him and had the people seated on the grass in parties of fifty or a hundred to preserve order so that all might witness what He was about to do. The simple food passed round by the hands of the disciples contained a whole treasure of lessons, for He could have spread a rich repast but did not, teaching that God's natural provisions had been perverted and that food prepared merely for gratification of appetite and perverted taste conveys no lesson for good, while rest and simple food far from human habitations bring true enjoyment.
That store was plainly far too little for the vast assembly in the desert place where no more food could be obtained. It was a slender, meager store belonging to a lad, scarcely enough for twenty people or for a small group, and nothing by ordinary human power among so many thousands of five thousand men besides women and children. No human power could make that supply feed so many, yet Jesus would not let the crowd go hungry and grow faint on the way home, though He already knew how to provide and asked about the food to test His disciples' faith. He created from it food sufficient to feed thousands bountifully until all were satisfied, and the food did not diminish as He gave it to the disciples to distribute. After everyone had eaten the remaining fragments filled twelve baskets. His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity, and while eating the food He provided they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other one could do so mighty a miracle.
The question, what are they among so many, highlights the apparent insufficiency of the five loaves and two fishes before the great crowd. It reflects feeble faith that trusts what can be seen rather than God's power to multiply, though Christ could multiply the food. It is the same unbelief shown by Elisha's servant when pointing to a small supply as plainly inadequate for feeding the multitude. After blessing the food Christ distributed it through the disciples until the crowd had enough, teaching that God supplies temporal needs and that spiritual gifts are freely given, not bought, while directing minds from the food to Himself as the Bread of eternal life. What seems insufficient in human hands becomes more than enough in the Lord's hands when people obey His work and trust Him to bless their gifts.
Miraculous Multiplication
Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and blessed them, broke the food, and gave it through the disciples to those who were seated, and likewise distributed of the fishes as much as they desired. The food multiplied in the distribution and increased in the hands of those who distributed it, not diminishing as it was broken and passed from hand to hand through the disciples. It remained undiminished until the multitude had eaten and all were satisfied. The small store had been brought to Him at His direction after Andrew reported it, and it became the means by which He fed the hungry multitude.
The miracle fed five thousand men besides women and children. It is described as above ten thousand persons, and in some accounts as about ten thousand, including five thousand men with women and five thousand children. After all had eaten, the remaining fragments were gathered so that nothing would be lost, filling twelve baskets. One account describes that gathering as five or seven baskets full.
The feeding was wrought by creative and divine power, the limited supply being increased to sufficiency through His humanity united with divinity. It was done in full reliance on the Father, never wrought to exalt His power or to add glory to the disciples, but wrought intelligently as necessity occurred to satisfy hunger. He could have spread a rich repast but used humble fare instead, teaching that God's natural provisions had been perverted and that food prepared merely for gratification of appetite conveys no lesson for good, while rest and simple food bring true enjoyment. The actions of the miracle, including the command to gather the fragments, were not only about saving food but were meant to leave a lasting impression on those who witnessed them.
Christ the Bread of Life
John 6 stands as the revelation of Christ as the Bread of Life sent down from heaven to give life to the world. It plainly expresses God's will for His people and holds the divine antidote for the sin of the whole world. It defines His righteousness and holds most precious lessons for all educated in schools, an education that endures through time and eternity when its truths are brought into practical life. The whole chapter is very instructive yet is only faintly understood, and students are to take in Christ's words there to understand their privileges and what He is to them individually and what advantage comes from eating His words. His words are spirit and life, and He Himself is the great center of life.
Eating the flesh of the Son of God and drinking His blood means receiving His words, assimilating them, and living by what God has revealed. Its truths are to be made part of the soul and part of daily life, obeyed rather than set aside for human suppositions. The Bible contains that bread sent down from heaven, the food from which men and women are built up spiritually. This stands in contrast to the books and magazines flooding the world that lead the mind astray and hinder spiritual growth. Those ministering in word and doctrine must therefore not be dull to understand these important statements but must study them prayerfully, asking God for clearness of understanding.
That feeding on Christ must become part of actual experience and not theory. It is learned as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, which is the very education every student needs. It is the same as being truly converted and born again and seeing the kingdom of God, obtained by opening the mind to the entrance of God's word with determination to practice it, which gives light and understanding to the simple. When it is obtained the frivolous life is changed, the common level is forsaken, the feet are placed upon Christ Jesus as the first round of the ladder, and step by step heavenward Christ is revealed in spirit, words, and actions as lively stones built up a spiritual house. The sixth chapter shows how eternal life is gained by cherishing in the heart the truth that works by love and purifies the soul.
The instruction of the chapter includes education about the law of Jehovah and the penalty for transgression, and that God accepts the ransom made by the Saviour in behalf of those who are obedient to that law. Accepting the righteousness of Christ defined there puts the wedding garment on the believer and joins humanity with divinity in a character fit to remain as a guest at the wedding. Without that acceptance there is presumption, measuring character by human ideas, continuing in sin, and loss of the soul. The Word of God as the bread of life, representing the body and blood of the Son of God, does not address the understanding alone but aims at the heart, addresses the moral nature, takes possession of the will, casts down imaginations and every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Its light reflects back on earlier ages and gives significance to the Jewish system, for Christ's work as substitute for sin was ancient Israel's only hope even before His death, and the New Testament does not replace the Old, whose directions for practical holiness and obedience remain relevant to Christian life.
The small substance of temporal food enlarged by miracle opened the way to place Christ in the chair of instruction as a field preacher on the hill, sitting with authority as teacher to give the people the Word which is the bread of life. The miracle lays the foundation for His lesson that the Word must be brought home to the understanding so that mind and soul are filled with its greatness and power, that He is the bread of God come down from heaven to give life to the world. He made the miracle the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God, including death to self and self-denial. As temporal bread imparts health and strength to the body, so faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings give spiritual vigor to the soul and life everlasting. That deeper meaning many did not understand, for they sought Him not because they saw the miracles but because they ate and were filled, coming only for temporal advantage.
Divine Care and Power
The five barley loaves and two small fishes were the only food at hand for five thousand men besides women and children, and Jesus increased them by creative power until all ate and were satisfied. He did so from compassion for a weary, hungry multitude that had followed to hear Him, pitying their physical need as well as their spiritual need and refusing to send them home fasting lest they faint on the way. He knew a tired, hungry throng could not receive spiritual benefit without bodily relief, so He provided for the body to open the way for the soul. His benevolent care is not confined to that day, for He still understands bodily need and can give knowledge by which people may obtain food.
The power that multiplied the loaves is the same divine power that every day multiplies seed into harvest through rain, air, sunshine, and human labor to feed millions and sustain life. The work of growing grain and preparing bread can hide God's agency, leading people to credit only nature or human effort and to misuse His gifts selfishly instead of receiving them as blessings. People should recognize His hand in daily provision and give Him the glory rather than ascribing sustenance to natural causes alone. The desert place with no apparent supply teaches dependence on God when need exceeds human resources, while His workers must also use wisdom, avoid recklessly creating difficulty, follow His instructions, and then seek His help with confidence.
Though able to supply any quantity in a moment, He required the fragments to be gathered so nothing would be lost. By the touch of His hand God increases scanty provision and makes it enough for all, able to multiply it a hundredfold and to spread a table in the wilderness for more than a million people. When need requires, Jesus can provide food by instantaneous miracle, and He can bless human labor to supply present needs today. He who wrought this wonder walked the earth in lowliness and poverty, yet He is greater than Moses, the Coming One who guided and fed Israel in the wilderness with bread and clear flowing streams and who declared, Before Abraham was, I AM.
No human power could make that slender store in a desert place feed thousands bountifully until all were satisfied, so the abundant provision was a work of divine power. His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts, and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity; while eating the food He provided they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other could do so mighty a miracle. The contrast between the boy's meager supply and the great crowd led them to recognize Him as the prophet foretold by Moses. Seeing the Father's power thus revealed should have helped the disciples recognize the Father in Him and anchored their faith to endure through His suffering and death.
Crowd Response and Aftermath
His pure and simple teaching had sunk into hearts, and His healing of the sick and comforting of sorrow had nearly convinced the people of His divinity. While eating the food He provided from five barley loaves and two small fishes, which no human power could make sufficient for thousands of men besides women and children until all were satisfied, they decided with entire belief that He is indeed the Messiah, since no other one could do so mighty a miracle. Evidence was heaped upon evidence sufficient to convince any mind open to evidence, and the thoughtful and candid who witnessed it were led to take exalted views of His character and office.
Many followed because they thought His power would help them in temporal necessities, hoping He would be exalted to David's throne and give them the highest place. They wanted Him to give health, strength and riches to all, to free them from their oppressors and the Roman yoke, and to raise them to earthly power and honor. Their later pursuit was for the loaves that satisfied physical hunger, not because the miracle had convinced them of His divinity, but for material benefit rather than faith in Him. They sought Him because they ate and were filled, wanting the meat that perishes and not that which endures to everlasting life, and refusing the meaning that faith in Christ and obedience give spiritual vigor and life everlasting.
The feeding became a turning point for Judas, who himself shared in distributing the food to the hungry multitude and saw the relief and joy Christ brought. He used the crowd's enthusiasm over the miracle to set on foot the project to take Jesus by force and make Him king in Jerusalem, expecting Jesus to be crowned king on David's throne and expecting for himself the first place next to Christ in the new kingdom. Jesus refused the earthly crown and rebuked the move with greater authority than usual, and after the miracle His popularity began to wane. That rebuke provoked Judas and made him more separated in feeling and love from Jesus, and his worldly hopes ended in bitter disappointment.
Christ made the miracle the occasion for His sermon on the bread of life, setting forth Himself as the Bread of life and the conditions of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. When they heard those demands for death to self and self-denial, many who had followed for temporal advantages apostatized almost immediately afterward and walked no more with Him. The miracle stands joined to Christ walking on the water and to that declaration after which some of His disciples turned from Him. Those who later asked for a sign had been among those He fed and had witnessed the feeding of the multitude, yet they closed their eyes to that light, wanted Him to repeat it, hoped to learn how He increased the food, and rejected its call to awaken faith and lead them to accept Him as the Son of God and the Bread of life.
News of the miracle spread so widely that people returned to the place the next morning seeking Jesus. The breaking and dividing of bread and fish on the mountainside was later recalled when the risen Jesus shared bread and fish with the disciples and bade them come and dine. When He broke the bread and the fish and divided it among the seven on the shore, that former miracle was brought distinctly to their minds with mysterious awe and silence, and seeing it made Him known and acknowledged by all seven. The later miracle of the draught of fishes was to make the former miracle of the loaves and fishes more impressive, to show that though deprived of the personal companionship of their Master and of sustenance from fishing, a resurrected Saviour had care over them and would provide for them while they were doing His work, and that laboring in connection with Him with His divine power uniting with their human effort would not fail of success. The earlier miracle thus reminded them that Jesus cared for them and could provide what they needed while they did His work.
Giving What You Have
Placed in Christ's hands, the boy's five small barley loaves and two small fishes, ordinary daily food of fisher folk about Galilee and plainly far too little for so many thousands, sufficed to feed the multitude. What seems hopelessly insufficient becomes more than enough in the Lord's hands, for He can bless and multiply a small provision so that it meets great needs. People should therefore offer the means, time and ability they have to meet others' needs rather than hold back because resources seem too small, making the best use of what they have and trusting Him to bless it. Honest, simple reliance on Him is rewarded, and a meager supply given with an unselfish heart can become a rich feast, honoring a humble everyday offering through which He serves others.
The disciples served as channels between Christ and the people, receiving from Him and passing on to others what He had received from the Father. Those united to Christ receive the bread of life from Him and share spiritual nourishment with others, for their own resources cannot meet the soul's needs and they can give only what they receive from Christ. Their hands were never empty as they reached back to Him, and as they kept imparting they kept receiving, the gift increasing in the distribution. They act as helpers and instruments of His work rather than keeping what they receive for themselves, so its success and glory belong to God, not to them.
Like Andrew, people may lose heart when resources appear inadequate and hesitate to give what they have for others. Workers should not be discouraged, measure advance by means at hand, or conclude they can do nothing because what can be seen looks too small beside the great need. Christ's command to feed the hungry stands behind them with the same power that fed the multitude, and being connected with Him calls for doing one's best even when it is not much, then casting the helpless soul on Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer with a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. He accepts limited abilities and resources put to work, blesses the scant supply, and multiplies what is entrusted to Him until everyone has enough, showing the greatness of the resources God provides for those who serve Him.
The question, What are these among so many, also applies to temptations that can feel overwhelming. Commercialism is one such danger, diverting attention and time from the daily privilege of coming to Jesus and telling Him what is needed until ambition gains power in the heart.
The feeding prepares disciples for work as His representatives to give spiritually hungry people the bread of life. Feeling too weak and empty to meet the needs before them, they must seek spiritual food from God, the source of supply, so they will have something to give and will not turn anyone away unfed. Its methods can guide practical work, carried out simply and without selfish interests, sharing with the needy of every rank and nation what is received from Him, with temporal and spiritual blessings accompanying that giving. Those who work together with God in this way carry out Christ's purpose.
Small means given with thanksgiving, prayer and unselfish service are multiplied and blessed by the Lord just as the food given to the disciples was multiplied to feed the five thousand men besides women and children until all were satisfied. Wisely used gifts increase in distribution, and when the best use is made of the means available God enables His workers to feed multitudes starving for the bread of life. Even when resources are scant people are to share what they have, show hospitality, consider those who lack the truth, and waste nothing, and such intelligent, self-denying, self-sacrificing gifts for soul-saving work enlarge generosity for His work and provide tact, skill and understanding.
The same Provider gives wisdom, skill, talent and ingenuity to devise means to feed the hungry and to manufacture necessary, wholesome, inexpensive foods to be sold to the poor at as low a rate as possible, a food business that is one of the Lord's own instrumentalities to supply human necessity. He will not leave His people in ignorance but will teach them how to prepare the best foods for all times and occasions, work more needed in the Southern states than in any other part of America and to be made the subject of earnest prayer. His gifts, including knowledge about producing food, are not to be restricted to a favored few, and no human being is to be put where God should be or forbid others from work God has given them.
God's truth multiplies as it is distributed, and those who dedicate themselves to God may receive the Holy Spirit to share with people in need. The disciples also ate from the provision they handed out, with temporal and spiritual blessings accompanying that giving.
Economy Without Waste
After hunger was met from five barley loaves and two small fishes, the remaining food was ordered to be gathered so that nothing would be lost, teaching careful economy and thrift especially in time of need. Though any quantity could have been supplied in a moment by creative power, every fragment was required to be saved, showing that industry, frugality and faithful use of Providence are required and that bounties are not to be squandered in aimless waste. What is provided is to be used as gifts from His hand, valued and preserved as works of help, teaching dependence for life, food, health and breath.
Food and other useful things and resources are not to be wasted but are to be carefully saved, economically used, and shared with the hungry. Even when one person cannot feed everyone, faithful use of what is entrusted can feed some and help share the bread of life with needy souls. The fragments gathered illustrate sharing spiritual bread with others, for truth increases as it passes from Christ to receivers, and even a fragment carrying present truth for this time can influence a seeker.
The same divine power that fed five thousand men besides women and children with five loaves and two fishes was present in daily labor to support the family, yet it was not used to lessen personal burdens and toil, showing that useful labor is honorable. Supplying temporal food to the hungry opened the way to place Christ in the chair of instruction as a field preacher giving the Word which is the bread of life, and prepared the way for Him in many places. So deeds of mercy open a door and bring reputation before large numbers for disciples as they break the bread of life to hungry souls, speak the truth in love, repeat the impression made on hearts, and gather all His words without wasting a fragment, since the miracle was wrought not to exalt power or add glory to disciples but intelligently as necessity occurred to satisfy hunger.