Feeding the Multitude John 6:16:1--2121 ““And when it was evening, the disciples came to Him, saying, ‘‘the place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. ’ ”’” 104104--108108 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Jesus ’’Ministries at the Height of His Popularity ©Terry Hulbert 2010 John 6:16:1--7171 + Matt, Mark, Luke Bethsaida: Population = 3,000 Notes The Feeding of the Five Thousand is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels . The event took place one year before the crucifixion and was the only one recorded by John in Galilee until Jesus met with his disciples at the Sea of Galilee (chapter 21). _____________________________________________________ Feeding 5,000 : John 6:16:1--1515 / Matt 14:1314:13--23/23/ Mark 6:316:31--46/46/ Luke 9:109:10--1717 Walking on water: John 6:16 --2121 / Matt 14:24 --33/ Mark 6:47 --5353 Events at Gennesaret: Matt 14:3414:34--36/36/ Mark 6:526:52--5656 Discourse on the Bread of Life: John 6:226:22--5959 Defection of the Twelve: John 6:606:60--7171 _________________________________________________________ Ch 6: Feeding the multitude = “Field experience” // Ch 6: Bread of Life Discourse = “Classroom lecture” // Ch 21: Commissioning in Galilee = “Commencement” The Scope of John’s Ministry Prologue : the past Prophecy : the future ““In the beginning . ”” (John 1:1) ““. what must take place after these things ”” (Rev 4:1) Revelation Jesus begins His ministry Epistles of John Church established Jerusalem Peter & Paul Gospel at Pentecost Council martyred of John A.D. 26/27 30303030 50505050 60606060 70707070 85858585 90909090 96969696 Nero dies Crucifixion Matthew Mark Luke Jerusalem Resurrection destroyed Ascension 70 years John 6:16:1--7171 Jesus, God’s Bread of Life Retreat to the area of Bethsaida (104) Feeding the multitude (105) Removing the multitude and the revolutionaries (106) Travel to the Plain of Gennesaret and Capernaum (107) Discourse on the Bread of Life (109) Reunion with the multitude (vv 2222--25)25) Teaching on the Bread of Life (vv 2626--59)59) Defection of some disciples (110) Why Did Jesus Feed the Multitude? To prepare the disciples for their post-Pentecostal ministry. Although they were unaware of it at the time, these men were role playing their feature ministry. No food would be more important to be delivered to the world than the good news about the Bread of Life. To prepare for His teaching the next day, Jesus told the crowd that went away satisfied, “You sought me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves, and were filled.” Their experience of being fed bread on a hillside provided Jesus with the metaphor for His teaching about receiving Him as the Bread of Life.” John 6:1 EEEE Gamala GAULANITIS DECAPOLIS Bethsaida Sea of Galilee Capernaum GALILEE Migdal ““After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee ”” EEEE Gamala DECAPOLIS GAULANITIS Bethsaida Sea of GALILEE Galilee Capernaum GALILEE Migdal Jesus feeds the multitude near Bethsaida. EE GAULANITIS DECAPOLIS Plain of Bethsaida Site of Bethsaida Bethsaida area viewed toward the east from the hill at Moshav Almagor Site of Bethsaida Julias Population: 3,000 WWWW In an uninhabited, grassy area near Bethsaida, Jesus fed over five thousand people one year before His crucifixion. Why did Jesus feed the multitude? To introduce the bread imagery He would use in His Bread of Life discourse the following day To provide an occasion for clarifying the nature of His Messiahship, that it was not a revolutionary one that would liberate the nation from Rome To prepare His disciples for their future ministry by role playing ––distributingdistributing ““the Bread of Life ”” in edification and evangelism John 6:14,15 Why did Jesus reject the attempt to make Him king at Bethsaida? Purpose: The people involved were motivated by their desire for an independent state, not for the kind of kingdom the prophets had promised. v 26 People: This crowd did not have authority to establish the kingdom. Place: Galilee was known for revolutionary movements. A decision in Jerusalem, the center of authority, would be required for recognizing Jesus as king. (Cf. Judas of Galilee: Acts 5:345:34--4040)) Preparation: Christ ’’s kingdom of righteousness requires repentance and cleansing. Responses to Jesus ’’ discourse the next day revealed the spiritual need of the people He had fed at Bethsaida. John 6:146:14--21;21; Matt 14:2214:22--3333 The Four Mile Question After the manna miracle why did Jesus not lead His followers to walk the four miles from Bethsaida to Capernaum where He would give the Discourse on the Bread of Life the next day? ““When therefore the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, ‘‘This is the prophet who is to come into the world. ’”’” ““Jesus therefore perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force, to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. ”” Why? ““Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitude away. ”” Why? About 33--66 a.m. Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. ““It is a ghost! ”” ---- ““Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. ”” ““And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped ”” / ““ and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. ”” EEEE Gamala GAULANITIS DECAPOLIS (7 miles) Moshav Bethsaida Almagor Sea of Capernaum Galilee GALILEE Migdal GALILEE Gamala, a major Zealot center, was located on a promontory within sight of Bethsaida. EE GAULANITIS DECAPOLIS Plain of Bethsaida Site of Bethsaida Bethsaida area viewed toward the east from the hill at Moshav Almagor EE Gamala GAULANITIS DECAPOLIS Site of Bethsaida The hill where Jesus prayed? Bethsaida area viewed toward the (present site of east from the hill at Moshav Almagor Moshav Almagor) Gamala, home of Judas the Zealot, leader of the revolt against Rome in A.D. 6 ““But a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel , a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the CounciCouncill . and said to them, ‘‘Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up . and he was slain, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. Gamala was located on the hill behind Bethsaida. And after this man Judas of Galilee rose up . and drew some people after him, he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. And so, in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God . you may even be found fighting against God. ’”’” Acts 5:345:34--3939 The Zealots Founded by Judas the Galilean who led the revolt against Rome in A.D. 6. When Mattathias Antiochus IV and his followers tried to suppress the Jewish religion, they were called Zealots. Opposed payment of tribute to a pagan emperor as treason to God, Israel’s true king, emphasized zeal for the law of God. Members of Judas’ family were Zealot leaders. Zealots were active through the war of A.D. 66-73. Jerusalem fell to the Romans in A.D. 70. W Sea of Galilee Synagogue Gamala, a Zealot ( ““freedom fighter ””) fortress city in the 1st cent. A.D., home of Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:355:35--37)37) W Sea of Galilee Bethsaida Gamala, Zealot stronghold Would Zealots from Gamala have been in the crowd Jesus fed at nearby Bethsaida? Might they have led the attempt to ““make Him king? ”” John 6:15 Perspectives Gamala , 7 miles above Bethsaida on the east, was home to the Zealots ( ““freedom fighters ””), who opposed Roman rule. Were these Zealots the instigators of this movement to take Jesus by force to make Him king ? (Cf. the large crowds at the Feeding of 5,000++!) Was the danger that some of Jesus ’’ followers would join them that caused Him to compel His disciples to get into the boat and sail at dusk? Was this concern the reason why Jesus urgently sent the multitude away after the miracle, an unprecedented and unexplained sequel to this kind of event? 106 The Uniqueness of Christ ’s Kingdom His kingdom would not be established by human force (Dan 2:442:44--45)45) as the Zealots assumed, but by God when He ““pours out His Spirit on all flesh. ”” Its citizens will be those who have been ““born from above. ”” (John 3:3,5) As Jesus informed Pilate, ““My kingdom is not from this world ”” (John 18:36), i.e. it will not be established by human force. His kingdom will be much greater than relief from Roman rule; it will fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant and have worldworld--widewide and eternal impact. 106 NW Bethsaida Julias Plain of Gennesaret ““And when it was evening, the boat was in the midst of the sea and He was alone on the land ”” (Mark 6:47) .. Replica of a 1 stst century boat discovered at Migdal (on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee) in 1986. (27 ’’ long x 7.5 ’’ wide x 3.9 ’’ deep) EEEE TETRARCHY OF PHILIP DECAPOLIS Kursi Bethsaida 4 miles 12.5 miles Capernaum Tabgha Tiberiuas Migdal GALILEE Valley of 830830 ’’ descent the Doves to the lake The Sea of Galilee lies 690 feet below sea level 106 EE “But the boat was already many They had rowed until stadia away from land, battered by the fourth watch (3-6 a.m.) the waves for the wind was contrary.