The Feeding of the Four Thousand

(2 Kings 4:42–44, Matthew 15:29–39)

8 In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said, 2 “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”

4 His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?”

5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6 And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. 7 They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well.

8 The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 And about four thousand men [fn] were present.

As soon as Jesus had dismissed the crowd, 10 He got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.