A huge crowd has followed Jesus into the countryside. There is nowhere nearby to buy enough food, and one boy's lunch seems almost laughably inadequate.
Jesus asks his disciples a question when he already knows what he is going to do.
1. Connect
Have you ever faced a situation where what you had seemed completely inadequate for what was needed?
2. Read
Read together.
Notice the size of the problem, the resources available, and what Jesus does.
(NET2)
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias). 2 A large crowd was following him because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick. 3 So Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples. 4 (Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near.) 5 Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?” 6 (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.) 7 Philip replied, “200 silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.” 8 One of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” (Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about 5,000 in number. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed the bread to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled 12 baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by the people who had eaten.
14 Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.
What caught your attention?
3. Explore
Look back at the passage as you discuss these questions.
- Why does Jesus ask Philip where they can buy bread?
- How do Philip and Andrew assess the situation?
- What does Jesus do with the five loaves and two fish?
- How much does everyone receive, and what remains afterward?
- How does the crowd interpret the sign? What do they want to do with Jesus?
4. Consider
Jesus doesn't merely provide enough. There is an abundance left over.
- What does this sign suggest about Jesus' ability to provide?
- Why do you think the crowd connects this sign with the promised prophet?
- Why does Jesus withdraw when they want to make him king?
- What might the crowd understand correctly about Jesus—and what might they still misunderstand?
5. Respond
The crowd wants what Jesus can give them. John's Gospel increasingly asks whether they want Jesus himself.
What is the difference between wanting something from Jesus and actually wanting to know who Jesus is?
What does this sign reveal about Jesus?
Explore More
Read , where Jesus explains the deeper meaning behind the sign.
Next Conversation: Do Not Be Afraid — Walking on the Sea.