Study Desk

After^(a) this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee^(b) (or Tiberias^(c)).

And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick.

So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples.

Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near.

Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him,^(d) He asked Philip,^(e) "Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?"

He asked this to test him,^(f) for He Himself knew what He was going to do.

Philip answered, "Two hundred denarii^(g) worth of bread wouldn't be enough for each of them to have a little."

One of His disciples, Andrew,^(h) Simon⁽ⁱ⁾ Peter's^(j) brother, said to Him,

"There's a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?"

Then Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000.^(k)

Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.^(l)

When they were full, He told His disciples, "Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted." ^(m)

So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

When the people saw the sign^[a] He had done, they said, "This really is the Prophet⁽ⁿ⁾ who was to come^(o) into the world!"^(p)

Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king,^(q) He withdrew again^[b] to the mountain by Himself.

When^(r) evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum.^(s) Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them.

Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn.

After they had rowed about three or four miles,^[c] they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

But He said to them, "It is I. ^[d](t) Don't be afraid!"

Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.