Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. They had nothing to eat. So Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said,
2
"I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don't have anything to eat.
3
If I send them away hungry, they will become too weak on their way home. Some of them have come from far away."
4
His disciples answered him. "There is nothing here," they said. "Where can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"
5
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied.
6
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. Then he broke them and gave them to his disciples. They set the loaves down in front of the people.
7
The disciples also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for them too. He told the disciples to pass them around.
8
The people ate and were satisfied. After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces.
9
About 4,000 men were there. Jesus sent them away.
10
Then he got into a boat with his disciples. He went to the area of Dalmanutha.
11
The Pharisees came and began to ask Jesus questions. They wanted to put him to the test. So they asked him for a miraculous sign from heaven.
12
He sighed deeply. He said, "Why do you people ask for a sign? What I'm about to tell you is true. No sign will be given to you."
13
Then he left them. He got back into the boat and crossed to the other side of the lake.