When we were children, we often heard the accounts of Jesus’ miracles in Sunday School, Bible Club, or Vacation Bible School. We heard about the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof and being healed by Jesus. We heard about the demon-possessed man from whom Jesus cast out a legion of demons. We heard about the death of Lazarus and Jesus bringing him back to life four days later. But have you noticed something now that you are older? Have you noticed that these amazing miracles of Jesus are often followed by a lesson taught by Jesus that is tied to what just happened? Today’s message will explore one of these miracles and the lesson that followed. It is the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus as the Bread of Life.
- What does it say?
After these things, Jesus departed across the Sea of Galilee of Tiberias. But a big crowd followed Him because they saw the signs which he performed on those who were sick. But Jesus went up the mountain and sat there with His disciples. It was near the Jewish Passover feast. At that time, Jesus looked up and saw that a big crowd was coming to Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people can eat?” However, He said this to test him for He already knew what He intended to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii are not enough to buy loaves of bread so that each might have a little. One of His disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, said, to Him, “There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the men recline.” There was a lot of grass in the place. So, the men reclined and there were about five thousand people there. Jesus took the loaves and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the people sitting down. In the same way, He distributed the fish and as much as they wanted. When everybody was full, He told His disciples, “Gather the remaining fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So, they gathered and filled twelve baskets of fragments from the five barley loaves which remained from those who had eaten. Therefore, when the people had seen the sign which He did, they said, “Truly this is the prophet who is coming into the world.” Because He knew that they were about to come and seize Him so they might make Him a king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself. - What does it mean?
Jesus was very popular (John 6:2).
To this point in John’s account of the Life of Jesus, he has mentioned several miracles. He had turned water into wine (John 2:1-12), healed the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54), and healed the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). John tells us that a big crowd followed Jesus because they had seen the miracles He performed for those who were diseased. This may mean that there were other miracles that John did not simply the ones that he mentions. This particular crowd was made up of about 5000 people. Imagine what that must have looked like. If that many people showed up today, our entire building and the front and back yards would be filled. This shows how popular Jesus had become.
But why was Jesus so popular? Nicodemus had come to Jesus because of the signs He did. He believed that these signs proved that Jesus was a teacher from God (John 3:2). The miracles Jesus did caused Nicodemus to think that God had sent Jesus to teach them. And that is just what Jesus did for Nicodemus. He taught him the truths that he did not know. But in this chapter, we see something different. The crowd of 5000 people came only because of the miracles of healing that Jesus did. They followed because they saw Him heal two people. They were curious and seemed to have followed only to see another miracle. There is no mention that they wanted to hear Him teach. Perhaps that is the reason Jesus didn’t go to those people. Instead, He went up on a mountain and sat with His disciples—the ones who were eager to learn from Him.
Jesus was intending to do something (John 6:6).
When the crowd of people climbed up the mountain to where they sat, Jesus asked one of his disciples where they could buy bread for all of them. Philip was incredulous. In his mind, it would take more than 200 denarii to feed all of them. A denarius was a coin that represented a day’s wage. So, he was thinking that it was an impossibility. If a Jewish person worked 313 days of the year (6 days per week), 200 denarii would represent 64% of his annual wages. Convert that into today’s wages and it makes sense. If the average annual wage in Ohio is $50,121,1 64% of that would be $32,077. Would that be enough to feed 5000 people? Think of it this way. If you bought a $8.99 meal at a restaurant for each person, it would cost $44,950 before tax which would be more than 200 days’ wages. Philip was correct about the cost of feeding that many people. And despite one boy having packed a lunch, there was no possibility of feeding that many people from that or their meager resources.
Jesus didn’t ask the question for the answer but to prepare His disciples for what He was intending to do. He sent the disciples into the crowd to tell the people to recline for the meal. Back then, people stretched out on their side and ate. When they were all prepared for the meal, Jesus gave thanks to God the Father, and distributed pieces of the little boy’s lunch to the crowd. While you may be tempted to calculate how small the slices of the bread had to be (each loaf would have to be cut into 1000 slices), this is unnecessary because of what John says in verse 12. When everyone was filled means that each person was satisfied with a meal. Add to that the fact that the disciples collected twelve baskets of the remaining food. This means that Jesus did a miracle. He miraculously caused the small lunch to become greater than what it actually was. This should not come as a surprise because John has already revealed that all things were made by Jesus (John 1:3). This miracle provided more evidence that He was who John claimed Him to be.
But why did Jesus do this miracle? You think that Jesus did it to prove His deity. But Jesus intended much more than that. If you read the rest of the chapter, Jesus later used this miracle to teach them about the Bread of Life. When the crowd found Him the next day, they wanted more food. However, Jesus used their hunger to point them to Him as the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Just as He had promised living water to the woman at the well, He now offered Himself as the Bread of Life that would satisfy them. They did not understand what He was saying. But we do. When someone understands who Jesus is and trusts in Him, Jesus provides everything that he needs. Too often, people are looking for satisfaction in things, relationships, and purpose. God never meant for us to find complete satisfaction in any of those things. He meant it to be found in Jesus alone.
Jesus was not ready to be king (John 6:14-15).
After being miraculously fed by Jesus, the crowd became convinced that Jesus was the prophet promised by Moses (Deut. 18:15-18). At the end of his life, Moses promised that the Lord would raise up a prophet like him from the Jewish people. Since the people had been afraid to hear God’s voice on the mountain, God promised to send a prophet at some time in the future who would speak whatever God told him to. The miracles performed in the past, the public teaching, and the feeding of the 5000 made them think that Jesus was that prophet. They were correct. Jesus was the prophet promised by Moses. But they had something else in mind. They wanted Jesus to become their king. And they were ready to take Him by force. When Jesus knew of their intentions, He immediately withdrew to the mountain to be by Himself.
But why did Jesus withdraw from the crowd? The crowd loved Him. They believed that He was the promised prophet. They followed Him wherever He went. Why would Jesus not want them to make Him their king? There were two problems. First, it was not time for Jesus to rule over the world. The Bible does say that Jesus will reign over the earth at a future time (Rev. 20:4-7). His reign will last for 1000 years and the world will finally have complete peace. However, there was something that had to happen first. Jesus came the first time as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). He had come to bleed and die on the cross as the payment for our sins. This would enable God the Father to forgive us because Jesus took our place. If Jesus was made king at that moment, He would not have been able to die for our sins.
Second, the people didn’t truly believe in Him. The conversation between the crowd and Jesus is recorded in John 6:22-60. The people were interested in another free meal not everlasting life (John 6:26-27). They saw the former miracles but wanted more before they would believe Him (John 6:28-31). They thought He was just another Jewish man and not the Son of God who came down from heaven (John 6:41-42). They didn’t understand that eating Jesus’ flesh and blood was a figure of speech about making Him what truly satisfied them (John 6:53-60). For these reasons, Jesus did not allow them to make Him their king. - How does it apply?
Why do you follow Jesus?
The response of the crowd shows that there are many people who followed Jesus for the wrong reasons. For some, it was the excitement of seeing a miracle. For others, it was the possibility of having a king who would conquer the Roman government and give them back their freedom. After many of His disciples stopped following Jesus, He turned to the twelve disciples and asked if they would also leave (John 6:67-69). Peter wisely told Jesus that there was no other person to follow because they had been convinced that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Their belief in who Jesus was kept them from leaving with the others.
As you are listening to this message, you should consider the same question. Why do you follow Jesus? Is He merely a novelty to you or an interesting teacher? Jesus described Himself as God’s Son who came down from heaven. Do you believe Him? He talked about being the Bread of Life that brings complete satisfaction to those who believe Him. Do you believe Him? That is a serious question that makes the difference between a curiosity seeker and a true believer.
Are you satisfied with Jesus?
After the feeding of the five thousand, some of the crowd came back the next day looking for another miraculous meal. They failed to understand why Jesus provided that meal. He was wanting them to see that He was the Bread of Life. This was a figure of speech meaning that those who believed in Him would never hunger and thirst spiritually. In Him, they would find complete satisfaction. There would be no more longing for things to bring temporary satisfaction. They would find all that they needed by believing Him and following His teachings.
This brings up some important questions. Have you been listening to what Jesus said? Has God drawn you to Jesus and caused you to believe in Him? Have you given up living for yourself? And have you found in Jesus everything that you need? This is what Jesus came to provide for you. Like a satisfying meal, Jesus will satisfy you completely when you turn from your sin, believe in Him, and follow His teachings.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, there are several times when an event during Jesus’ life was later used to teach a spiritual lesson. Today, we saw Jesus miraculously feeding five thousand people. This incredible event was followed by Him teaching the people about Him being the Bread of Life that satisfies those who believe in Him. My hope is that you will find the satisfaction He offers as you believe Him and follow His teachings.
Bibliography
Blum, Edwin A., “John” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
Kent Jr., Homer A., Light in the Darkness, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974. Reprint 1986.
“Salary in Ohio” as viewed at https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Ohio on 6/27/2026.
Footnotes
- “Salary in Ohio” ↩︎