The Saints Gospel 64
The Five Loaves and the Two Fish
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Woven from Matthew 14:13–21 · Mark 6:30–44 · Luke 9:10–17 · John 6:1–15
The apostles returned and gathered around Jesus, telling Him everything they had done and taught. Hearing also of John’s death, He said, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a little.” So many were coming and going that they had no opportunity to eat. Taking them with Him, He withdrew privately by boat across the Sea of Galilee, also called Tiberias, toward Bethsaida.
The crowds saw them leaving and recognized them. Having seen His signs upon the sick, they ran on foot from the cities and arrived ahead of them. Jesus went up the mountain and sat with His disciples. The Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Seeing the great crowd, He welcomed them and was moved with compassion, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He taught them many things about God’s kingdom and healed those who needed a cure.
So Jesus lifted His eyes and, seeing that a great crowd was coming toward Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy loaves so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was about to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of loaves are not enough for them, so that each may receive even a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fish. But what are these among so many?”
As the day declined, the Twelve said, “This place is deserted, and the hour is late. Dismiss the crowds, so they can go into the surrounding villages and fields, find lodging, and buy provisions.” He answered, “They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
There was much green grass in the place. He ordered the disciples to have everyone recline in dining groups, and they arranged them in rows by hundreds and fifties. There were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Jesus took the five barley loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks and pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and kept giving them to His disciples to set before the people. He divided the fish among them all, as much as they wanted. Everyone ate and was filled.
When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather the remaining fragments, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that remained over from those who had eaten, and some of the fish. When the people saw the sign He did, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is coming into the world.” So Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize Him to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain, Himself alone.
← 63 The Death of John the Baptist · The Saints Gospel: all scenes · 65 It Is I Do Not Fear →
Saints Translation · The Saints Gospel · a harmony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts 1 · words of Christ in red · working draft awaiting specialist review.