Studies 1 to 2
The Multiplication of the Loaves
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MIR027
Feeding of the 4,000
This article recounts the multiplication of the loaves, in which Jesus miraculously feeds four thousand people. Matthew's and Mark's accounts describe Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd, the multiplication of seven loaves and a few fish, and the collection of seven baskets of leftovers. Differences include the destinations after the event: Magadan in Matthew and Dalmanutha in Mark.
Matthew 15.32-39 (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.And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER169
The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
The multiplication of the loaves for 5,000 men is a miracle attested by all four evangelists, set near Bethsaida in April AD 32. With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds an immense crowd, illustrating his divine power and his shepherd's compassion, and foreshadowing the Eucharist. The twelve baskets left over symbolize the abundance of the Kingdom of God.
John 6.5-13 (King James Version) :When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org