Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

8 During those days another large crowd gathered. They had nothing to eat. So Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said, 2“I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don’t have anything to eat. 3If I send them away hungry, they will become too weak on their way home. Some of them have come from far away.”

4His disciples answered him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “Where can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

5“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. Then he broke them and gave them to his disciples. They set the loaves down in front of the people. 7The disciples also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for them too. He told the disciples to pass them around. 8The people ate and were satisfied.

After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces. 9About 4,000 men were there. Jesus sent them away.