The Feeding of the Five Thousand

6:30 Then45 the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. 6:31 He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat). 6:32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to some remote place. 6:33 But many saw them leaving and recognized them, and they hurried on foot46 from all the towns47 and arrived there ahead of them.48 6:34 As Jesus49 came ashore50 he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So51 he taught them many things.

6:35 When it was already late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is an isolated place52 and it is already very late. 6:36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 6:37 But he answered them,53 “You54 give them something to eat.” And they said, “Should we go and buy bread for two hundred silver coins55 and give it to them to eat?” 6:38 He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 6:39 Then he directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 6:40 So they reclined in groups of hundreds and fifties. 6:41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He56 gave them to his57 disciples to serve the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. 6:42 They all ate and were satisfied, 6:43 and they picked up the broken pieces and fish that were left over, twelve baskets full. 6:44 Now58 there were five thousand men59 who ate the bread.60