Matthew 14:13-21

Feeding the Five Thousand

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew’s Gospel is somewhat vague about precisely what Jesus heard that made him leave and cross over the Sea of Galilee. Many assume that it was the news of his cousin John the Baptist’s execution and that he was withdrawing to grieve. This would make sense. However, the story of John’s death could be read as an interlude and that Jesus had heard how stories about him had reached Herod. Maybe he was leaving to escape the public attention.

Whatever his motivation, he was foiled as the crowd followed him and met him as his boat landed. We can tie ourselves in knots trying to determine the historical details of the miracle. Did Jesus multiply the loaves and fish, or did the disciples’ generosity inspire the people to share what they had? Regardless, the importance of the account lies in its deeper significance.

Matthew’s Gospel records that it was the disciples who articulated the needs of the people and were the ones to offer their meagre rations. Although they could not see how what they offered could make a difference, Jesus transformed their offering into something beyond their imagining. Compared with the might of the Roman Empire, the early Church would have felt its resources similarly meagre. What encouragement it must have been to them to have hope in how Jesus could transform them.

This account also has significance due to its links with Holy Communion. Every day as Jews broke bread at meal times a blessing would be said. It is likely that Jesus used those words in this instance. From the earliest days of the Church a blessing was said over the bread before its breaking and sharing. Just as this bread provided strength to the disciples and all those who had come to Jesus, so the bread of Holy Communion is seen to provide strength for all who receive it.

In this narrative we see Jesus respond to the people with compassion. This compassion isn’t just a feeling of sympathy, it overflows into action. We notice that Jesus’ compassion results in people’s needs being met.

To Ponder:

• In what ways have you experienced Jesus blessing what you offer?
• What is the significance of Holy Communion for you and your life of faith?