Commentaries on Gospel Events

4,000 Fed

A. D. 29

Decapolis

The people had been with him three days up a mountain.  Up to now and I assume even now the big and only attraction for them was to get Jesus to heal.  Is that what happened for a three day period??  The Gospel accounts give little hint.  The miraculous feeding seems to have a double purpose, compassion for their hunger and to demonstrate his (Jesus') supernatural power.  Demonstrate to his disciples that is, not to the masses.  They were requested to sit on the ground and be served by the disciples (just as last time - the feeding of 5,000), possibly never knowing that a miracle had taken place in its preparation.

 

Matthew

Mark

 

Mat 15:32 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.

Mat 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Mat 15:34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Mat 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Mat 15:36 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.

Mat 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Mat 15:38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

Mat 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

 

 

Mar 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

Mar 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

Mar 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

Mar 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Mar 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Mar 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

Mar 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

Mar 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

Mar 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.