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After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee (which is also called the Sea of Tiberias). He took them and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. A great multitude saw them going, and many recognized him. Perceiving it …followed him …and ran there on foot from all the cities, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. They arrived before them and came together to him.
Jesus went up into the mountain, but the multitudes followed him. He saw a great multitude… he welcomed them. He sat there with his disciples and spoke to them of God’s Kingdom. He had compassion on them and cured those who needed healing, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country, villages and farms, and lodge – and buy themselves food (for they have nothing to eat).” But Jesus answered them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy bread, and give them something to eat?” He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” 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 these among so many?” He said, “Bring them here to me.” Jesus said to his disciples, “Have the people sit down in groups of about fifty each.” Now there was much grass in that place, so the men sat down – in number about five thousand (besides women and children). They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
Jesus took five loaves and the two fish, and having given thanks, looking up to the sky… he blessed them, broke them, and gave the loaves to the disciples to set before the multitude. The disciples gave to those who were sitting down. Likewise, also he divided the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they desired. When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.” So, they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves (and also of the fish) which were left over by those who had eaten. When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” Jesus, therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king – withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side (Capernaum), while he sent the multitudes away. After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray.
SOURCE TEXT:__________________________________
- Matthew 14:14-21
- John 6:1-15
- Mark 6:33-45
- Luke 9:11-17
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