JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND

Passage: Luke 9:10-17

Key verse: 13a

NIV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(A)(B)

10 When the apostles(C) returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,(D) 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,(E) and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.(F) Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

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ESV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 On their return (A)the apostles told him all that they had done. (B)And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he (C)welcomed them and (D)spoke to them of the kingdom of God and (E)cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now (F)the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, (G)“Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, (H)“You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than (I)five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, (J)he looked up to heaven and (K)said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. He welcomed them (1

-11)

When the apostles returned from preaching the gospel throughout Galilee, they hoped to have some time alone with Jesus. But they had spread the good news about Jesus so well that crowds of people came looking for the good Shepherd. Jesus did not run away and hide from the crowd. He welcomed them and taught them about the kingdom of God. He showed them God's love by healing them.

2. You give them something to eat (12-17)

His disciples decided that they had done enough for the crowd. Sending them away to find food and lodging seemed like a reasonable suggestion. But Jesus said, 'You give them something to eat.' Jesus wanted to teach them some important lessons in faith. They brought what they had--5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus blessed what they brought, and with it, fed the crowd. There were leftovers--a basketful for each disciple!

Prayer: Lord, you have given us another impossible command: 'Make disciples of all nations.' We can't do it, but we offer you our five loaves and two fish.

One Word: 'You give them something to eat'