The Feeding of the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns. 14 And when Jesus went ashore and saw a large crowd, he was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, [fn]his disciples came to him and said, “This place is desolate, and the hour is now late. Send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They have no need to go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said the blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 They all ate and were filled, and the disciples picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.