The Feeding of Four Thousand

8 In those days there was[fn] again a large crowd, and they did not have[fn] anything they could eat. Summoning the disciples, he said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have remained with me three days already and do not have anything to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes they will give out on the way, and some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “Where is anyone able to feed these people with bread here in the desert?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” So they said, “Seven.” 6 And he commanded the crowd to recline for a meal on the ground, and taking the seven loaves, after he[fn] had given thanks he broke them[fn] and began giving[fn] them[fn] to his disciples so that they could set them[fn] before them.[fn] And they set them[fn] before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish, and after[fn] giving thanks for them, he said to set these before them also. 8 And they ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces that were left, seven baskets full. 9 Now there were about four thousand. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and[fn] went to the district of Dalmanutha.