1 AFTER THIS, Jesus went to the farther side of the Sea of Galilee--that is, the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a great crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs (miracles) which He [continually] performed upon those who were sick. 3 And Jesus walked up the mountainside and sat down there with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was approaching. 5 Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat? 6 But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do. 7 Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennies' (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little. 8 Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 9 There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people? 10 Jesus said, Make all the people recline (sit down). Now the ground (a pasture) was covered with thick grass at the spot, so the men threw themselves down, about 5,000 in number. 11 Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed 1 to the disciples and the disciples to the reclining people; so also [He did] with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted. 13 So accordingly they gathered them up, and they filled twelve [ 2 small hand] baskets with fragments left over by those who had eaten from the five barley loaves. 14 When the people saw the sign (miracle) that Jesus had performed, they began saying, Surely and beyond a doubt this is the Prophet Who is to come into the world!
15 Then Jesus, knowing that they meant to come and seize Him that they might make Him king, withdrew again to the hillside by Himself alone.