*Matthew 14:13-36
Jesus compassionately heals the sick in a crowd, then miraculously feeds them all with just five loaves and two fish.
- Feeding of the Five Thousand
- Jesus withdraws to a solitary place after hearing about John the Baptist’s death.
- Crowds follow him on foot, and Jesus is moved with compassion for them.
- He heals their sick and teaches them throughout the day.
- As evening approaches, the disciples suggest sending the crowds away to nearby villages for food.
- Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the people, but they doubt due to lack of resources.
- A young boy offers five loaves of bread and two fish.
- Jesus blesses the food, breaks it, and feeds the multitude, with 5,000 men plus women and children eating their fill.
- Twelve baskets of leftovers are collected.
- Walking on Water
- After dismissing the crowd, Jesus compels the disciples to go ahead in a boat while he goes up the mountainside to pray.
- As night falls, the boat is battered by waves and wind, far from land.
- Jesus walks on the water towards the disciples, who are terrified, thinking he is a ghost.
- He reassures them, and Peter asks to come to him on the water.
- Peter walks briefly on the water but begins to sink due to fear.
- Jesus reaches out and catches him, rebuking his lack of faith.
- As they enter the boat, the wind ceases, and the disciples worship Jesus, acknowledging him as the Son of God.
- Healing at Gennesaret
- The boat reaches the shore at Gennesaret, and the people recognize Jesus, bringing their sick to him.
- They beg to touch even the edge of his cloak, believing it will heal them.
- Everyone who touches him is healed, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
14:13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
14:16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
14:34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
14:35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.