COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 69
“ Mark 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39 And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.” (Mark 6:37-40; Matthew 14:16-17; Luke 9:13-15; John 6:5-10)
JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND, #1
INTRODUCTION
Jesus had left Galilee and sailed with His disciples across the Sea of Galilee to a desert place belonging to Bethsaida. Attracted to Jesus – or more precisely, being drawn to Him – the people had ran afoot around the Sea, arriving at the area where He was headed before He and His disciples did. In keeping with His word that those who came to Him would not go hungry (John 6:35), and that He would not drive them away from Himself (John 6:37), the Lord had compassion upon them, teaching them many things and healing those who had need of healing. It is important that we obtain this perspective of the Savior. Those who “come” to Him in the sense of His promise will not remain in a spiritually impoverished state. It is not possible to abide in Christ and remain spiritually emaciated. Jesus will not allow that to happen. So, if a soul remains spiritually starved, it is only because the individual is not with Jesus. The environment in which the person remains is minus Jesus – He is not there. We also know that Jesus will not send anyone away who comes to Him. This is because the drawing of the Father is revealed in the coming of the individual: “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). This is being made known in the circumstances of this text. The day had passed, and nightfall was coming upon them. Realizing the circumstances, but not yet perceiving the sufficiency of Christ, the twelve disciples have suggested that Jesus send the multitude away to find food and shelter. If Jesus follows their suggestion, it will contradict what He later revealed about not turning anyone away. Now we will see how He will resolve the dilemma.
YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT
“ Mk 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?”
GIVE YE THEM TO EAT. Here is an aspect of the Lord Jesus that we do well to learn. He does not see crises as men do, and we ought not to expect Him to do so! The disciples have seen a situation that, to them, was hopeless, and they have addressed Jesus just as though their assessment was correct. Their evaluation of the external circumstances was correct. They were in “a desert place,” the day was “far passed,” and the people had “nothing to eat” (Mk 6:35-36). So far as diagnosing the appearances, they had done as well as any alert person could do. However, they had not taken into consideration that the Lord Jesus was there. They had only thought in terms of the people being there.
Even though they were positive the people needed to leave, and that they would not leave unless Jesus sent them away, Jesus flatly contradicts their assessment. Matthew records that Jesus said, “They need not depart!” (Matt 14:16). Men should not expect the Lord to have a purely human perspective of things! Although He is a “Man” (1 Tim 2:15), “the Son of man” (Matt 8:20), and was “tempted in all points as we are” (Heb 4:15), yet He did not, and He does not, think as a man. This is because He does not see things as a man. The disciples saw a helpless situation. Jesus saw this as an occasion in which God was going to work for His glory.
Jesus, seeing that the work was about to be done, gives the apostles an opportunity to be the ones through whom the work will be accomplished: “Give ye them to eat!” Both Matthew and Luke record precisely the same words (Matt 14:16; Lk 9:13).
John gives us an even closer view of the occasion. He says that Jesus, upon seeing the multitude, said to Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:5-6). Jesus was not asking for suggestions. He was not considering all of the possibilities, or attempting to discover what would be the appropriate thing to do. He already knew what He was going to do. He was testing the disciples – trying their faith and opening a door of opportunity to them.
Putting these Gospel records together, we see several important things. First, this was a work on God’s agenda. Jesus saw it immediately and was prepared to enter into the work. Second, this was a test for the disciples, to see how much they had really perceived, and how they could think through a circumstance. Third, it was a test of the people, to see how serious they were about following Jesus. Oh, the dread of simplistic approaches to the work of God!
SHALL WE GO AND BUY? Mark says the disciples responded as if it was appropriate for them to go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread. Is that what Jesus wanted them to do? Note, Jesus did not say “Go and buy bread,” or “Go and find bread.” He said, “YOU give them something to eat.” NKJV Somehow, during this whole event, they had come to sense what Jesus would say, and taken a survey of their financial resources. It appears that their combined resources were two-hundred pennies – enough for a two-hundred days supply of food. This would have included the treasury, maintained by Judas (John 12:6; 13:29), and the personal resources of each of the twelve. That would averaged out to a little over two weeks financial resources for each of the disciples. Those, therefore, who think of Jesus as maintaining a great treasury need to rethink their carnal view. This is Jesus and His disciples toward the ending part of His ministry, and on this day, they did not have three weeks provisions among them! Notwithstanding, if that would have been enough, they would have bought bread for the multitudes.
John says that Philip answered Jesus, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little” (John 6:7). We conclude, therefore, that this is what they had among themselves. A “penny” is considered to have been a day’s wage (Matt 20:2) – which was not designed to provide for a savings account. This is what was necessary to maintain a day of life – “our daily bread.” Philip knew that this amount of bread would be less than 4% of what would have been needed to feed 5,000 men. If we include woman and children in the group (which Jesus did), the total crowd was probably close to 25,000, which would made 200 pennyworth of bread be less than 1% of what was required.
Notwithstanding all of these circumstances, the Master still says, “Give them something to eat yourselves!” AMPLIFIED It ought to be clear to us that Jesus does not view our limitations as we do. He will speak to faith, knowing that faith does not reason after the manner of the flesh. Keep in mind that these very men had already been sent out by Jesus to do the impossible: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils” (Matt 10:8). None of those things were in any way possible to the sons of men. Yet, they had not questioned the Master on His commission, and there is no evidence that they wrestled with doubt, or thought the commission to be undoable. But this is another occasion, another test, another opportunity. We will find that it is possible to pass one test, and fail the next.
HOW MANY LOAVES DO YOU HAVE?
“ 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.”
We are beholding in this text the manner in which the Lord deals with His followers, and how He speaks with them. Properly seen by faith, this will assist in delivering us from overly-simplistic views of Christ – which views are actually only fleshly views, or knowing Christ “after the flesh” (2 Cor 5:16). Religious flesh veers away from any profound, deep, or extensive understanding of Christ, for it sees no need for such comprehension. Such people are quite satisfied with a shallow view of Jesus, unaware that such a view is completely unproductive. In fact, it is categorically said of those who know Jesus by faith that “we know Him thus no longer.” NASB There is, in fact, no place in redemption for a continued infantile view of Jesus or juvenile acquaintance with His manners. Admittedly, we all begin with a proportionately meager view of Him, but salvation is calculated to quickly move us beyond the borders of mere simplicity.
HOW MANY LOAVES? The unthinking person sees no sense in such a question. After all, such an one reasons, Jesus already knows the answer to the question, and the Lord has said, “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee” (Psa 50:12). However, Jesus is not asking for information but is rather proving His disciples. The test is for their benefit, not His – also for the observation of holy angels, and for us, “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor 10:11).
GO AND SEE. One versions reads, “Go look!” NASB Jesus asks them to see what resources are available – and remember, there is a crowd of five thousand men, besides women and children. What did they have to work with? It was important that THEY know this before HE did the work. Therefore, when calling Moses to the work of delivering Israel, the Lord ask him, “What is that in thine hand?” (Ex 4:2). It was a rod, and the Lord used it. When a poor widow sought help from the prophet Elisha he asked her, “What hast thou in the house?” (2 Kgs 4:2). She replied “a pot of oil,” and the prophet used that to meet her need. When Shamgar the Judge faced 600 Philistines, all he had in his hand was an “ox goad,” but that is what the Lord used to give him the victory. We could mention other things like the jawbone of an ass in Samson’s hand (Judges 15:15-16), or a sling and a stone in David’s hand (1 Sam 17:50). What we have is important when working for the Lord.
While we cannot make an inviolable law of this matter, God often does not work until we have assessed what we have – what is in our hand. What is there with which He can work? What is there we are willing to put into His hand. You will find that the most impoverished person has something, and that is really all that is necessary if it is joined to faith.
WHEN THEY KNEW. Other versions read, “And when they found out.” NKJV/NIV We do not know how long it took them to find out, but they did not return until they had the answer. Remember, the time was already late, which provided a further reason for hastening their research. Some cannot conceive of a Christ requiring so much activity by His disciples when He already knew what He would do. However, Jesus does not merely work to resolve the dilemma. He has in mind to make some other things known, as well as to tutor angels.
FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES. Matthew only records the answer of the disciples, and not the question of Jesus: “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes” (Matt 14:17). Luke accents how meager the supply was: “We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people” (Luke 9:13). John tells us that Andrew, Peter’s brother, actually delivered the word, citing the utter deficiency of the goods: “One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:8-9).
All twelve of the disciples had an opportunity to feed the multitude, but they thought it was necessary to buy bread. Philip also had a chance to feed them, but he considered that the money they had was insufficient to obtain even a very small portion for everyone. Andrew also was presented with an opportunity to feed the multitude – something God was going to do – but concluded that five loaves and two fishes were simply not enough.
The report of the disciples was absolutely correct: they did have five loaves and two fishes. The answer would have passed the test of any mathematician. A statistician would have been proud of their research, and how accurate it was. It certainly was not an easy answer to obtain, and therefore the academic master would have no doubt given them an “A+.”
But it was their reasoning upon the facts that was flawed. They could not take the loaves and fishes and divide them satisfactorily among 5,000 men, besides women and children. The difficulty was that they had not figured Jesus into the equation. Their mathematical equation was (5 loaves + 2 fishes) ÷ 5,000 men= ø. The proper equation was, (5 loaves +2 fishes) ÷ 5,000 men + Jesus= Plenty of food for all. It should not surprise us that many professing Christians continue to calculate without Jesus.
MAKE THE PEOPLE SIT DOWN IN COMPANIES
“ 39 And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.”
As soon as the disciples deliver the information for which Jesus asked, He proceeds to work the works of Gold. He does not ask them for any further information. They have already said too much: “Shall we go and buy?” ““Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient.” “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” “What are they among do many?” Here was another case where many counselors were of absolutely no worth, even though Solomon said, “in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov 11:14). That may be true in matters that are wholly of this world, but there is not a speck of truth in it regarding the workings of the Lord. In this case, the counsel of Jesus was thoroughly adequate, and no other word was needed.
Matthew says that Jesus responded, “Bring them [the loaves and fishes] hither to me” (Matt 14:18). Whatever we have must first be brought to the Lord. It must be presented to Him for use. Men must run from the inclination to launch out on their own, the asking the Lord to give them help. If Jesus could say “the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works” (John 14:10), what must be said of those who labor for and with Jesus Himself?
HE COMMANDED THEM. Jesus did not discuss, He commanded. He did not suggest, He commanded. This was because “He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:6). There does come a time when human assessments, explanations, research, and the likes must come to an end. The work of God must proceed upon the basis of the Divine will, not the will of man. That is why Paul, once He knew the will of Jesus, asked no more for the thorn to be removed (2 Cor 12:9). That is why the early disciples, after trying unsuccessfully to go into Bithynia, and being previously blocked from going into Asia, finally determined to go to Macedonia. They then KNEW that was where the Lord wanted them to go (Acts 16:6-9).
In spiritual life, there can be times of confusion, when we face the tenacity of flesh, and its inveterate bent downward. Men may offer this suggestion and that, presenting habits and morsels of worldly wisdom to assist us in putting down wayward desires. All of this is like searching for how many loaves you have, and it always finishes with the conclusion that you do not have enough. However, after you have done all of your research, and have presented all of your findings, the Lord issues the command that resolves it all: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Col 3:5). When we respond to that word, the work of the Lord will get under way, just as surely as it did in the case of the feeding of the five thousand.
MAKE ALL SIT DOWN BY COMPANIES. The seating had to be orderly, for large crowds naturally tend to confusion. Other versions read that they were to sit down “in groups,” NKJV “by groups,” NASB “in rows.” WILLIAMS In the army of Israel, God arranged the people by rank, and in order (Num 2:16,22). The warriors of Zebulun were noted for being able to “keep rank” (1 Chron 12:33). Those who fought for David, and were employed by God to make him king, were also described as men who could “keep rank” (1 Chron 12:38).
Jesus said to make the people sit down – that is, to ensure that they all did, in fact, do precisely that: “sit down.” Luke points out that this is exactly what they did. “And they did so, and made them all sit down” (Luke 9:15). John says there was “much grass” in that place (John 6:10). One can only imagine how those “in the flesh” would respond to such an order. Faced with fifteen or twenty thousand people, I can almost see the church board throwing up its hands in despair. After all, there were “children” present in this group also. Those who remain with Jesus, listening to Him and taking Him seriously, will not be frustrated by His demands. Somehow, they all appear quite doable when in His presence.
The New Covenant equivalent of this is, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40). God is not depicted as working for good in the midst of a chaotic environment. This is confirmed by the confusion that was sent upon the builders of the tower of Babel (Gen 11:7-8). It is most unfortunate that men have attempted to dignify both external and internal confusion in their religion. They imagine that by crediting chaotic conditions to the working of the Holy Spirit the whole matter is sanctified. If Jesus would not feed a dispersed and wandering multitude with natural bread what would lead a person to believe He would do so with spiritual bread?
IN RANKS BY HUNDREDS AND FIFTIES. Luke records Jesus saying, “Make them sit down by fifties in a company” (Luke 9:14). This possibly refers to two differing group sizes: hundreds and fifties. This would allow for a more orderly distribution. Some have supposed 5,000 men were 100 rows deep, and 50 men wide, which would calculate to 5,000. It appears as though this is the most probable. The people were thus arranged something like an orderly garden. It is also assumed by many that the “women and children” were in some way separated from the men. If so, they would no doubt have also been organized in an orderly manner. Those who have no heart for orderliness would have great difficulty obeying this word.