because it will take 200 denarii (i.e., eight months’ wages), to do so (vv. 37–38). This rather unreasonable challenge should not be understood as being spoken tongue-in-cheek, or as a foil to revealing how stupendous the miracle will be. Instead, it should be regarded as indicating what is to be part and parcel of the disciples’ work. As envoys of Jesus, they are to minister to those in need. But how can their paltry resources be enough to feed so many? What happens next is familiar to many Bible