The miracle of the five loaves and two fish is an event in which Jesus fed a great multitude of people with five barley loaves and two fish, and is recorded in all four gospels of the New Testament. This miracle is an important story that shows Jesus’ power and mercy, and there are some differences and additional details in each gospel. Here, I will explain the entire story in detail, focusing on John 6.
background
This miracle occurs after Jesus goes across the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias). Jesus saw a large crowd following him because they had seen the miracle of Jesus healing the sick. Jesus went up the mountain with his disciples and saw the people there. At this time, the Jewish holiday Passover was approaching.
The beginning of a miracle
When Jesus saw a large crowd, he asked his disciple Philip,
John 6:5-6
"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' Now he said this to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do."
Philip answers Jesus that he needs a lot of money to feed the people.
John 6:7
"Philip answered, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each to receive a little.'"
Andre's Proposal
Andrew tells Jesus that there is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish.
John 6:8-9
"One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?"
miracle work
Jesus tells the people to sit down. There was a lot of grass in the place, so the people sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and distributed it to those who were sitting down. He did the same with the fish.
John 6:10-11
"Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the people sat down, in number about five thousand. Then he took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to those who were sitting down; and likewise the fish, as much as they wanted."
leftovers
After everyone has eaten their fill, Jesus tells his disciples to gather up the remaining pieces. When the disciples gathered up the remaining pieces, twelve baskets were filled with the pieces left over from the five barley loaves.
John 6:12-13
"When they were filled, he said to his disciples, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing will be lost.' So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves that remained over and above those who had eaten."
People's reactions
When the people saw this sign, they said, “This is truly the prophet who is to come into the world,” and tried to make Jesus king. But Jesus left for the mountain alone.
John 6:14-15
"Now when the men had seen the sign that Jesus had done, they began to say, 'This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.' So when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself alone."
summary
The miracle of the five loaves and two fish is an amazing event in which Jesus fed a great multitude of people with a small amount of food. This miracle shows Jesus’ power and mercy, as well as God’s abundant provision. Jesus not only provided for people’s physical needs, but also showed that He could provide for their spiritual needs. This miracle also proves that Jesus is the Messiah and reveals a key element of His ministry.