Matthew 14:13–21

The Feeding of Five Thousand

13 Now when* Jesus heard it,* he withdrew from there in a boat to an isolated place by himself. And when* the crowds heard it,* they followed him by land from the towns. 14 And as he* got out, he saw the large crowd and had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it* was evening, the disciples came to him saying, “The place is desolate and the hour ⌊is late⌋.b Release the crowds so that they can go away into the villages and* purchase food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not ⌊need⌋c to go away. You give them something* to eat.” 17 And they said to him, “We do not have anything* here except five loaves and two fish.” 18 So he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 And he commanded the crowds to recline for a meal on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and* looking up to heaven, he gave thanks. And after* breaking them,* he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them* to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 Now those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.