6.1

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias

6.2

And a great multitude followed him. Again, John uses phrasing that exemplifies the matter at hand: it was a great multitude. Multitude already denotes a crowd of people, so a great multitude is equivalent to saying a great great crowd of people.

6.2.1

What were the actions of the great multitude? They followed Him, not gathered for a football or basketball game but following Jesus intentionally.

6.2.2

Why are they following Him? Because of the miracles which He did on them that were diseased. In previous parts of the book of John, we have already seen that most of their following of Jesus was tied directly to the miracles He performed. Jesus has indicated problems with this when He sees there is a constant desire for miracles, but no genuine desire for a relationship with Him.

6.3

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. John does not specify which mountain, but we know that Jesus often used mountains to preach and teach to large bodies of people like this great multitude.

6.4

6.5

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes Jesus could have simply focused on the discussion He was having with His disciples (the ones close to Him). However, He intentionally lifted up His eyes. God cares and has compassion for us to see our condition and want to do something about it.

Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

6.5.1

He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Be alert and aware when the Lord asks questions, for we know He knows everything. The question: whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? It's such a simple question, yet still complex. He asks whence (where) they should buy bread.

6.6

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Prove means to test. John ensures that it is abundantly clear that Jesus knew fully what miracle he would perform at this moment, but intended on testing the disciples, specifically Phillip here.

6.7

Phillip's response to the test: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. We established that Jesus was very specific in asking where they should buy bread. However, Phillip missed the test and responded with how can they buy bread?

6.7.1

Phillip focuses on cost and means, forgetting that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. He responds that two hundred days wages (denarius) wouldn't be enough for everyone to get a little bread. To put this into perspective, he is saying that if the minimum wage is $7.25, even if you had $11,600 at your disposal, you couldn't give all these people a snack.

6.9

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes Here, Andrew, Peter's brother, chimes in with a proper response to Jesus's question. Jesus asked where shall we buy bread, Andrew pointed out where a child has five loaves and two small fish.

6.9.1

but what are they among so many? Here Andrew's fleshly nature kicks in. It took a measure of faith to even mention the lad's insignificant meal, but he follows up with doubt that it will be useful.

6.10

Make the men sit down. The miracle begins with instruction and order. To restrict movement and chaos, Jesus has the men to sit.

6.10.1

Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Why did the Holy Spirit lead John to add this sentence, because it seems like an unnecessary detail? Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Psalms 23:1-2 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

6.11

And Jesus took the loaves; Jesus took the resource that was expected to produce little and made it produce much. Let us also not ignore the lad's faith in handing over what he had to the Lord in expectation of a great return. Like the widow woman and the prophet Elijah, her handing over her little is what God used to produce a lot in her faith.

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him:9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:7-16

6.11.1

and when he had given thanks, Jesus was so keen on showing us how to live and, in so doing, was sure to give thanks to the Father. Even the little we do have is a blessing of the Lord and He is deserving of our praise.

6.11.2

he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes Jesus demonstrates a new way of order in the kingdom. In the previous miracle of the man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus Himself healed the man. When it comes to this miracle, He distributes it to His disciples first and instructs them to distribute it to the people. Could it be that God disseminates His provisions to His disciples so they can be given to the masses? Whether God Himself delivers your miracle or His servant, it still originates from God.

6.11.3

The bread is the Word. Fish represent both discipleship and relationship with Christ Matthew 4:19. In the early days of Christianity, believers used the phrase "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior," which the Greek acronym is ICHTHYS, the Greek word for fish.

6.11.4

as much as they would. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalms 84:10

6.12

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Even in the blessing and the overflow, Jesus still prompts us to be good stewards and not wasteful of what God has blessed us.

6.13

‌Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. The twelve disciples distributed food amongst 5,000 men, which is no easy task. One may have thought, "When shall we get a break?" or "What shall we eat after they have taken it all?" but all twelve laborers are rewarded with an entire basket of food.

6.14

‌Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. Remember this statement the men made, for shortly after, they will cause us to question this statement.

6.15

When Jesus therefore perceived And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man John 2:25.

6.15.1

that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. Seems like this is a good thing, but carnal desires drive it. They see Jesus as a prophet to provide them with food without work.

6.15.2

Jesus has already turned down the offer of all the kingdoms of the world by satan in Luke 4:5-8

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. The temptation of men is much less glamorous, yet still a way of satan attempting to have Jesus operate out of His divine timing.

6.16

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, It perplexes me why they chose to go to the sea without Jesus here. But we do get some clarity from the other gospel accounts: Mark 6:45 "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people." This makes sense, since earlier we read that Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king. It doesn't mean that Jesus exposed those plans to the disciples and that John received this revelation later as writing his gospel account.

6.17

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. Jesus was a man of prayer, similar to David, who said but I give myself unto prayer. We also know that Jesus went to them at the fourth watch (3 AM-6 AM) from Mark 6:48.

6.18

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. John does not go into grave detail, but he briefly mentions the storm that took place in the rising of the sea and the great wind that blew.

6.19

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, The approximate distance from where the disciples (and Jesus), were from Capernaum was 6 miles. These twenty-five or thirty furlongs would have translated to about halfway or three miles.

6.19.1

they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: Multiple miracles are mentioned here. First, Jesus is walking on water, which we know is physically impossible. Second, Jesus somehow walked and caught up to the disciples, who were approximately 3 miles away.

6.19.2

and they were afraid. Seeing a man walk on water in the midst of a storm in the middle of the night is more than enough reason to be afraid.

6.20

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Christ gives comfort in their distress. One of the greatest things to hear from our Lord is to be not afraid.

6.21

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. John omits the story of Peter here, but does inform us of another miracle. That immediatelywhen Jesus joined the ship they found themselves at land.

6.22

The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

6.24

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

6.25

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

6.26

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Jesus rebukes their search for Him. He needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man John 2:25. Because of this we can be sure that Jesus' testimony of them was true. He recognized that they only had such zeal for Him because of the free meal they received.

6.27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Hebrews gives us some connection to the meat that Jesus desired them to seek after "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." He says don't chase earthly pleasures but set your sights on a deeper knowledge of God.

6.27.1

This isn't the first time that Jesus uses earthly means to point to heavenly truths. He told Nicodemas to be born again. He told the woman at the well to get living water.

6.27.2

We know that the miracle of the five loaves and fish was an actual occurrence; however if we think of the miracle as a parable, this would be the explanation.

Our Lord had the 5,000 to labour not and freely eat, until full, a meal given by Him. Similarly, He tells them now to seek a spiritual meal given by Him that will endure unto everlasting life. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto thee.

6.28

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? This question may come off as odd, but it is a perfectly valid inquiry to what Jesus has just said. He tells them to labour for meat that endures; they respond with how can we do the works?

6.29

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. The people asked Jesus about the works of God, Jesus tells them about the work of God.

6.29.1

What is the work of God? Faith (believe, committed unto, place confidence) in the One Whom the Father sent.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.. So that this one work is the catalyst for many other works of God.

6.30

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? The immediate response to Jesus exclaiming Himself as the Messiah, what sign shewest thou then. Are these not the same people in the great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

6.31

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.Although Christ just performed the miracle multiplying bread it seems that they don't esteem it as much as Moses' supposed miracle of manna.

6.31.1

It is profound that they bring up manna when they're forefather's despised the manna and angered the Lord in His provision. *And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.* Numbers 21:5

In contrast the miracle that Jesus performed filled them and they were amazed saying, "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world." They invalidate and contradict themselves.

6.32

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. Jesus clarifies the argument they present in wanting a greater sign. Here is what Jesus argues: Moses didn't give manna from heaven, it was the Father, just like the disciples didn't give them the loaves of barley, but Jesus.

6.32.1

giveth you the true bread from heaven. Jesus points them to the greater miracle which they are overlooking: the Father has sent the true bread.

6.33

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. What is this true bread? It is He, Jesus.

6.34

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. They seem to have either misheard or misunderstood what Jesus had previously stated. He clearly indicates that this true bread is He which cometh down from heaven. They, operating carnally, are still desiring (labouring) for bread that perisheth.