Chapter 4: Jesus Feeds the People
Based on Luke 9:10-17

Scripture Background

In this story, Jesus shows people how much God loves everyone. The bread that Jesus shared would have been unleavened bread. Unleavened bread was flat bread, like pita bread. It was made from barley. Barley was a common crop because it could grow in poor soil.

For Jesus' listeners, this story called to mind the time many centuries earlier when God gave manna to the Israelites in the desert. In the gospel of John, this story ends with the people calling Jesus a prophet. For the people, Jesus' miracles were a sign that he was the Messiah, the promised one of God.

This is the only miracle story that is recorded in all four gospels. This shows how important this story was to the early Christians.

As you read this story, notice that Jesus' actions are similar to his actions at the Last Supper. The words blessed, broke, and ate appear in both stories.

One day about five thousand people were listening to Jesus. That evening his disciples said, "Send the people away. They need to find a place to sleep and eat." Jesus said, "Give them something to eat yourselves." The disciples answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish."

Jesus said, "Tell the people to sit down." Jesus then took the bread and fish. He looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the bread into pieces. He gave the bread and fish to his disciples to give to the people.

Everyone ate until they were full.

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He looked up to heaven and blessed the food.
Based on Luke 9:16

Look for More in the Bible

Read about Jesus feeding the crowd in the other gospels.
Matthew 14:13-21
Mark 6:30-44
John 6:1-15

Read about Jesus raising Lazarus in the gospel of John 11:1-44.
In this story Jesus thanks God for always hearing his prayers.