“All ate and were satisfied”

Read Luke 9:10-17

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This story follows on from the disciples’ preaching mission (10; 9:1-6), with Jesus intending them to have some rest after their hard work (Mk.6:31). But it was impossible for them to get away from people. Nevertheless, Jesus welcomed the crowd, teaching and healing them with compassion (11; Mk.6:34). By the end of the day they needed feeding yet no food was available (12).

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So the scene is set for the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (Mt.14:13-21; Mk.6:30-44; Jn.6:1-14). By it Jesus demonstrated his power as Creator, for by multiplying the bread and fish in this way he was doing something that only God can do. And because bread was the basic food, “multiplying bread was especially significant; it pointed to God giving his people abundance of blessing.” (Morris)

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Having blessed the loaves he “gave them to his disciples to set before the people” (16). In ourselves we have nothing to offer (13), but by passing on to others what we have received from Jesus they will be fed. That’s an important principle of discipleship, but it isn’t the reason why the story is included in the gospels. The primary purpose of the miracle is to show that Jesus must be God (Jn.1:3).