SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 14:13-21
Hearing upon John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdrew by boat to be alone. However, the crowds followed him. When Jesus landed, he had compassion on the people and healed the sick. When it was getting dark, Jesus’s disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away so they could feed themselves. Jesus said the crowds could stay and asked the disciples to feed them. They said all they had was five loaves of bread and two fish.
Jesus had the loaves and the fish brought to him. Jesus then gave thanks for the food and broke the bread. The disciples distributed it. Everyone ate, and they had 12 basketfulls left over. 5,000 men ate in addition to women and children.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 15, Day 3: Matthew 14:13-21
7a) He wanted to grieve the loss of his friend alone, as well as pray for John’s soul.
b) There are still obligations that must be met despite grief.
8a) By turning what they thought impossible (feeding thousands of people) into the possible — and with leftovers to boot!
b) God loves to provide for us abundantly. If we ask him for the impossible, He can do it, and we should expect that as well as to exceed our expectations.
9) Jesus had compassion on the people and personally sacrificed to heal and feed them. He performed miracle after miracle, taking care of human needs and for humans only.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 15, Day 3: Matthew 14:13-21
I love how God gives you more than what you ask for in this world. I need to remember this when I become down in life.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 15, Day 3: Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
We will begin to see Jesus focus his ministry on growing the disciples’ faith.
I think most of us cannot fathom the depth of compassion Jesus had/has for his people. He fed the multitude not because he had to or it was expected, but because he wanted to.
Jesus challenged the disciples to have faith and to have compassion on others.
The bread and the fish were indeed from a little boy as told in (John 6:9). The disciples had no food as they relied on others to have compassion on them. Ironic, right?
Bible scholars suggest that this was a celebratory event. Perhaps Jesus was thinking this was a great way to remember John the Baptist.
Jesus thanked God for the food and again demonstrated his entire power over all of creation and the world.
God gave above and beyond to the people, which is what He wants to do for us.
Note there were 12 extra baskets of bread, one for each of the disciples. This miracle was about feeding people, but it was just as much for the disciples as for the people. Jesus needed to grow their faith in him as the ultimate provider of all things.
Bible scholars suggest the total number of people to be between 15,000 and 20,000.
Fun Fact: This story is recorded in all four Gospels, showing it’s importance as a miracle.
Many believed that the Messiah would restore manna. Here is that manna.
Jesus let the disciples be a part of the miracle, too, even though he didn’t have to. We are all a part of God’s plan, whether we know it or not.
Our Takeaways:
- Give God what you have, no matter how little
- God provides for all of our needs abundantly
- Trust in His provision
- Thank God for what you have