That miracle is often referred to as “The feeding of the 5,000” but, out of the four Gospel accounts, only John describes it as a sign (Greek “sēmeion”) (John 6:14).
Earlier articles in this series have detailed why John used the word that is best translated “sign” rather than the word for “miracle”, so we will not cover that same ground again.
The events recorded in John 6:1-15 are the fifth sign in this Gospel and it is worthwhile noting that all of them were done in public and pointed to truths concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. We can only summarize the vast quantity of teaching that stemmed from this sign (John 6:22-59) .
In chapter 6, John points the reader to the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can truly satisfy mankind’s spiritual hunger. Firstly, we see a physical food problem is addressed (vv.1-15), then teaching is given on how the people should respond to Him, and who actually fed the Israelites in the wilderness wanderings (vv.25-33). Finally, in response to their request for the bread that “gives life to the world” (v.33), the Lord teaches that the whole of humanity needs Him as “the bread of life” (vv.34-59).
Satisfying physical hunger
In this miraculous feeding of 5,000 men, plus women and children, the Lord Jesus meets a great physical need with minimal resources. A large crowd was following the Lord, albeit not necessarily for the purest of motives. It was going to be a time of decision for many of the people. Sadly we learn that after seeing the sign and hearing the subsequent teaching, “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (v.66b). For the vast majority, the Lord Jesus was not the kind of leader they wanted. Having witnessed His ability to feed them, they were determined to make him “king” (v.15) but when they realized that now was not the time, and that the Lord’s mission and call differed from theirs, they left Him.
Although the Lord Jesus knew the hearts of the people, He still had compassion on them and fed them all.
It is interesting to observe that, although He knew exactly what he would do, the Lord asked Phillip a question, to test him.
“”Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:5b-6).
This test would not provide information to the omniscient Lord but would be a teaching point for Philip, who looked around, somewhat despairingly, and concluded that the situation was hopeless. If Philip had truly understood who had asked the question, He would have reacted differently.
Peter’s brother, Andrew, brings a young boy who is willing to offer the food he possesses. This young boy’s action provides a simple yet important teaching point for all believers. If we give what we have, no matter how small, the Lord is pleased to use it for His purposes and glory. Andrew is not convinced the lad’s offering will make much difference to the great problem, “. . . but what are they among so many?" (v.9b) but he is soon shown his mistake.
Another important lesson from the physical feeding of this great multitude is that the Lord graciously includes His followers in the sign, commanding them to do whatever they are able to do. However, only He had the power to create and meet mankind’s physical hunger. There was such an abundance of food that “they were filled”. This was not a meal where you had to be careful to leave enough for others. It was a truly satisfying experience for all, with enough left over to fill twelve large baskets. The sign pointed to the Lord Jesus as the one who could satisfy mankind’s need, but would the people understand?
Showing the great need
The people, after seeing the sign, wanted to enthrone the Lord Jesus, but their timetable was not His. The Divine plan was that the cross should come first, then the glory would follow. So Jesus withdrew, and the next day He taught the people about their great need.
When the crowds approached Him, He instantly revealed their problem.
“Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him’” (John 6:26-27).
The Lord disclosed their fleshly attitude in merely seeking more free food, and taught them that there is a greater need, a spiritual one, which only He can satisfy. In stating that “God the Father has set His seal on Him” we are to understand that the Lord Jesus has been marked out uniquely as the One who can satisfy our spiritual hunger.
By nature mankind looks for the “food which perishes” instead of the “food which endures to everlasting life”. Satisfaction and meaning are sought in things that ultimately give neither. We desire “earthly food” which offers only momentary satisfaction. Today many search for satisfaction and meaning in the accumulation of wealth and possessions, the pursuit of leisure, or sexual intimacy. Although they may give momentary pleasure these earthly things will not meet mankind’s greatest need and spiritual hunger. Jesus promised that He alone could meet their greater need and proceeded to explain on what basis this food could be received.
Satisfying spiritual hunger
The crowd had in their minds the idea of working for the food which gives eternal life, but the Lord clarified that it was received on the basis of belief in Him.
“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent’” (John 6:28-29).
The crowd’s view of working to obtain eternal life was typical of mankind as a whole. By nature we believe that salvation and eternal life can be obtained through good works. The Scriptures correct this view by teaching that salvation is an unconditional and unmerited gift of God the Father. Later on in His discourse, the Lord Jesus plainly stated, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). This statement was just one of the unambiguous statements that the Lord made about Himself. He pointed to Himself as the One in whom we must believe, and promised that this alone would guarantee eternal life.
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst . . . I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:35,51).
When the Lord said: “the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world”, He was pointing forward to His death on the cross where He would give His life as a ransom for sinners. On the cross He would pay the penalty for sin, in order that all who receive Him into their lives as Lord can know they will never have to pay the penalty for their sin because He has fully dealt with that. His death would not just be for the Jewish nation but it would be of sufficient value for the whole world, so that anyone who receives Him can have eternal life – a life from God that can be enjoyed now and forever.
Jesus declared: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). To feed on Jesus Christ’s flesh and drink His blood does not mean to partake in Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the Eucharist, but to receive Him as your Saviour and confess Him as your Lord. When physical food is set before us it does not benefit us until we ingest it. It is the same with spiritual food. Christ may be presented in all His attractiveness – His wonderful personality, His perfect life – and we may even be moved to tears at the sight of Him dying on the cross, but it is not until a person receives Him as their own that they are saved and have eternal life.
Eternal life is the present possession of all who have “partaken of” the eternally satisfying Bread of Life – the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
