Knowing The Word in Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand [All four gospels record this miracle as proof of Jesus’ power. This is a miracle and not a parable about sharing! It recalls two Old Testament miracles: Moses and the manna and Elisha and feeding of 100 men with 20 loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44). This is more than a Messianic gesture, it illustrates a new community that is not dismissed and sent home but shares a divine meal together, a foretaste of the Messianic banquet.]

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat [from where is he withdrawing?] to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [Jesus’ compassion incorporates the physical and spiritual.] 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” [Jesus’ command deliberately involves his disciples in this action.] 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” [Basic Galilean provisions.] 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. [The head of the Jewish family gives the blessing. Jesus blessed God rather than the food.] Then he broke the loaves and gave [same actions he performed in Emmaus and at the Last Supper] them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve [symbolic?] baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about [impressionistic, not exact] five thousand men, besides women and children.