PER182

Second multiplication of the loaves for 4,000 people

The article analyzes Jesus' second multiplication of the loaves for four thousand people, with reference to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. It explores the nuances between the two accounts while stressing Jesus' compassion and his ability to provide for the needs of the crowd.

9 min miracle Jesus multiplication of the loaves 10 verses 4 books

Resources

Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 15.32-38 (King James Version)

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 8.1-9 (King James Version)

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Galilee on the shore of

Date: July or August AD 32

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the method: Mark takes up Matthew’s words

The Messiah Jesus and his disciples are near Capernaum, in Galilee, facing a considerable crowd that has remained there for three days.

Mark

Second multiplication of the loaves for 4,000 people

Summary of the texts

The first account of a and fish is found in: Matthew 14.15-21, Mark 6.33-44, Luke 9.12-17 and John 6.5-13.

You can consult the pericope PER169 : The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people

The passages of Matthew 15.32-38 and Mark 8.1-9 relate the account of the second performed by the Messiah Jesus to feed a great crowd that had come to listen to him. Although these two texts describe the same event, they present nuances that deserve to be analyzed.

Summary of the texts

In Matthew 15.32-38, the Messiah Jesus expresses his compassion for the crowd that has been following him for three days and is suffering from hunger. He asks his disciples how much food is available, and they answer that they have only seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus then orders the crowd to sit down, takes the food, blesses it, and then distributes it, thus feeding about four thousand men, not counting women and children. At the end of the meal, seven baskets of leftovers are gathered.

Mark 8.1-9 reports a similar scene, with a crowd that is hungry after three days spent with the Messiah Jesus. As in Matthew, the Messiah Jesus shows his concern for these people before acting. The disciples answer in the same way when he asks them whether they are able to feed the multitude. The Messiah Jesus then takes the seven loaves and a few small fish, blesses them and distributes them, thus feeding about four thousand people. The leftovers are likewise gathered in seven baskets.

Comparison of the texts

In substance, the two accounts are almost identical and highlight the Messiah Jesus' concern and his power to multiply food. However, a few differences of form and style can be noted:

The expression of Jesus' compassion : In Matthew, the Messiah Jesus takes the initiative by first expressing his concern, whereas in Mark this concern is emphasized more in the structure of the account.
The role of the disciples : In Mark, they seem more perplexed by the Messiah Jesus' request, expressing their doubt as to how to feed such a large gathering. In Matthew, their answer is more matter-of-fact.
The narrative style : Mark often stands out for a more dynamic and concise style, whereas Matthew offers a slightly more detailed narrative.
The numbers and details : Both accounts agree on the number of loaves and fish available, the number of people fed, and the number of baskets collected after the meal.

These passages, taken from the synoptic Gospels, reflect a faithful transmission of the event while preserving the particular features of each evangelist. They illustrate the power of the Messiah Jesus and his ability to provide for those who follow him, while highlighting the importance of trusting in him despite the apparent insufficiency of resources.

It should be noted that neither Luke nor John included this event in their accounts. This is probably because they had already covered the first multiplication and considered the two events too similar. They were bound to observe space limitations in their testimonies because of the publishing constraints of the time.

Please consult the appendix ANN046 : The technical requirements of publishing in the first century for additional information.

Seconde multiplication des pains pour 4000 personnes. L'article analyse la seconde multiplication des pains par Jésus pour quatre mille personnes, en se référant aux Évangiles de Matthieu et Marc. Il explore les nuances entre les deux récits tout en soulignant la compassion de Jésus et sa capacité à subvenir aux besoins de la foule. Résumé des textes. Le premier récit d’une multiplication des pains et des poissons de trouve en : Matthieu 14, versets 15 à 21, Marc 6, versets 33 à 44, Luc 9, versets 12 à 17 et Jean 6, versets 5 à 13. Vous pouvez consulter la péricope PER169 : La multiplication des pains pour les 5000 personnes Les passages de Matthieu 15, versets 32 à 38 et Marc 8, versets 1 à 9 relatent le récit de la seconde multiplication des pains opérée par le Messie Jésus pour nourrir une grande foule venue l'écouter. Bien que ces deux textes décrivent le même événement, ils présentent des nuances qui méritent d’être analysées. Résumé des textes Dans Matthieu 15, versets 32 à 38, le Messie Jésus exprime sa compassion envers la foule qui le suit depuis trois jours et souffre de la faim. Il interroge ses disciples sur la quantité de nourriture disponible, et ils répondent qu’ils n’ont que sept pains et quelques petits poissons. Jésus ordonne alors que la foule s’asseye, prend la nourriture, la bénit, puis la distribue, permettant ainsi de nourrir environ quatre mille hommes, sans compter les femmes et les enfants. A la fin du repas, sept corbeilles de restes sont récoltées. Marc 8, versets 1 à 9 rapporte une scène similaire, avec une foule affamée après trois jours passés auprès du Messie Jésus. Comme dans Matthieu, le Messie Jésus manifeste son souci pour ces personnes avant d’agir. Les disciples répondent de la même manière lorsqu’il les interroge sur leur capacité à nourrir la multitude. le Messie Jésus prend alors les sept pains et quelques petits poissons, les bénit et les distribue, nourrissant ainsi environ quatre mille personnes. Les restes sont également collectés dans sept corbeilles. Comparaison des textes Sur le fond, les deux récits sont quasi identiques et mettent en avant la sollicitude du Messie Jésus et son pouvoir de multiplication des vivres. Toutefois, quelques différences formelles et stylistiques peuvent être relevées : L’expression de la compassion de Jésus : Dans Matthieu, le Messie Jésus prend l'initiative en exprimant d'abord sa préoccupation, tandis que dans Marc, cette sollicitude est davantage soulignée dans la structure du récit. Le rôle des disciples : Dans Marc, ils semblent plus perplexes face à la demande du Messie Jésus, exprimant leur doute quant à la manière de nourrir une si grande assemblée. Dans Matthieu, leur réponse est plus factuelle. Le style narratif : Marc se distingue souvent par un style plus dynamique et concis, tandis que Matthieu offre une narration légèrement plus détaillée. Les chiffres et détails : Les deux récits s’accordent sur le nombre de pains et de poissons disponibles, le nombre de personnes nourries, et le nombre de corbeilles recueillies après le repas. Ces passages, issus des Evangiles synoptiques, reflètent une transmission fidèle de l’événement tout en conservant des particularités propres à chaque évangéliste. Ils illustrent la puissance du Messie Jésus et sa capacité à subvenir aux besoins de ceux qui le suivent, tout en mettant en lumière l’importance de la confiance en lui malgré l’apparente insuffisance des ressources. Il convient de noter que ni Luc ni Jean n'ont inclus cet événement dans leurs récits. Cela est probablement dû au fait qu'ils avaient déjà abordé la première multiplication et considéré que les deux événements étaient trop similaires. Ils étaient obligés de respecter des limitations d'espace dans leurs témoignages en raison des contraintes d'édition de l'époque. Veuillez consulter l'annexe ANN046 : Les exigences techniques d'édition au premier siècle pour obtenir des informations supplémentaires.