(1) Overview
(NET) Many commentators, on the basis of similarities between this account of the feeding of the multitude (8:1–10) and that in 6:30–44, have argued that there is only one event referred to in both passages. While there are similarities in language and in the response of the disciples, there are also noticeable differences, including the different number present on each occasion (i.e., 5,000 in chap. 6 and 4,000 here). In the final analysis, the fact that Jesus refers to two distinct feedings in 8:18–20 settles the issue; this passage represents another very similar incident to that recorded in 6:30–44
(2) Similarities with the feeding of 5000 (6:30-44)
a. In both incidents, Jesus fed the crowd out of compassion. He did not have to, but He chose to.
6:34 As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.
6:37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”8:2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have already been here with me three days, and they have nothing to eat. 8:3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint on the way, and some of them have come from a great distance.”
Reflection: Jesus knew man very well. He knew how far people live. He anticipated our needs. Maybe people were still ok when they were with Jesus, but when they were on the way home they would be hungry and faint. Who cares about us like that? What love He has demonstrated on man.
b. Other similarities: they were in the wilderness, there was a large crowd of people, Jesus broke the loaves and served the fish, the disciples got the food from Jesus and they served the crowd, Jesus gave thanks for the food, people ate and were all satisfied, and there were leftovers. Jesus left immediately.
Reflection: When Jesus helped people He would not help them half-way. People were all satisfied and there were leftovers. When we have needs we can come to Jesus. He loved us and would give us what we need.
(3) Differences
In chapter 6,
6:35 When it was already late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is an isolated place and it is already very late. 6:36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.”6:37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “Should we go and buy bread for two hundred silver coins and give it to them to eat?”
But in chapter 8,
So Jesus called his disciples and said to them, 8:2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have already been here with me three days, and they have nothing to eat. 8:3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint on the way, and some of them have come from a great distance.” 8:4 His disciples answered him, “Where can someone get enough bread in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”
In chapter 8, the disciples did not come to Jesus, but Jesus called them and asked them a question. Jesus tested to see if they know what to do. Unfortunately, they failed. The dullness of the disciples were remarkable here.
In chapter 8, the disciples did not come to Jesus, but Jesus called them and asked them a question. Jesus tested to see if they know what to do. Unfortunately, they failed. The dullness of the disciples were remarkable here.
Reflection: Are we like the disciples? Sometimes, God had already taught us a lesson, but we did not learn. God has to repeat the same problem in front of us just because we had not learn (perhaps, the Omicron??)
Audrey
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