Two Fish & Five Loaves

16. December 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Our text today tells us a familiar story.  It is the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude with the two fish and 5 loaves of bread.  Here is the context of the story. 

The text: Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. 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,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

The text opens with when Jesus heard what had happened.  This is in reference to having just heard that John the Baptist had been killed and his disciples had just buried him.   When Jesus heard of the news, he withdrew by boat privately into a solitary place.     The crowds followed him to this place and when evening came the disciples suggested to Jesus to send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages to buy food. 

Jesus had compassion on the multitude and refused to send them away but multiplied the five loaves of bread and two fish that were among them to feed everyone.   Though this story is always told and it is assumed that is only 5000.  If we read the text carefully, you will see that the number was substantially more than 5000.  The text says that it was about 5000 men and the count did not include the women and children.    It could have easily been anywhere from 10 to 20 thousand people.      

It is fascinating to know that this miracle came out of the context of Jesus going to a solitary place after he heard of the death of John the Baptist.   

As we continue to study the book of Matthew, you will find that there will come a time where the people will try to make Jesus a king and the text says it was because of his ability to feed and take care of the crowds and not because they recognized him as the Messiah.  This is one of the miracles of Jesus meeting the needs of the people that will help to form the basis for their desire for him to become their king. 

Stay encouraged!!! 

God Bless!!!!!!!  Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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