COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 70
“ Mark 6:41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided He among them all. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”
(Mark 6:41-44; Matthew 14:19-21; Luke 9:16-17; John 6:11-15)
JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND, #2
INTRODUCTION
In a grand demonstration of the nature of the ministry of Jesus, the people have pursued Him with zealous intent, and have stayed with Him through the day as He ministered to them, teaching them many things, and healing those who had need of healing. This is the kind of Prophet Moses said would come into the world: “unto Him ye shall hearken” (Deut 18:15). Later, Jesus would declare one of the marks of His salvation would be the people coming to Him: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). That is, He Himself would be the center of attention and the Object of fervent quest. Under His influence, the people would not make the Temple the focus, or the keeping of the Law, or the disciples of Christ. Jesus Himself would be the center of attention. Where this is not the case, NO spiritual food will be dispensed to the people. Where Jesus Himself is not the Object of attention, no aspect of salvation will be truly experienced. Just as surely as these people could not have been fed if they were not consciously and willingly in the presence of Jesus of Nazareth, so those who are not deliberately and knowingly in the presence of the Son of God will not be given the “bread of life.” Wherever other things are allowed to gain prominence over Jesus in the minds of the people, spiritual nourishment is forfeited – and where spiritual nourishment is forfeited, it is not possible to sustain spiritual life. This is being lived out in the text before us, and we do well to give the more earnest heed to it. We are living in a religious environment where this is scarcely known.
JESUS BLESSES AND GIVES THE PROVISIONS
“ Mk 6:41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.”
HE TOOK THE LOAVES. All of the Gospel writers point out that Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes (Matt 14:19; Lk 9:16; John 6:11). Matthew says that Jesus told the disciples, “Bring them hither to Me” (Matt 14:18). This was something that had to be done before the people could be fed: the loaves and fishes had to get into Jesus’ hand. The disciples had already revealed their lack of faith in this matter. They thought in terms of how much money they had, and how inadequate the available provisions were. They did, however, quickly obey when Jesus said to bring the supplies to Him.
There is a principle to be seen here. When feeding the flock of God, or distributing spiritual food, care must be taken to bring the provisions to the Lord Jesus. The servant of the Lord must master putting the texts in the hands of the Lord – laboring in the Word and the doctrine (1 Tim 5:17) with an acute awareness of Christ. Paul put it this way: “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Cor 2:17), and “our care for you in the sight of God” (2 Cor 7:12). If a person ministers with a prevailing consciousness of the problems to be corrected, the people will not receive much. The people in our text were hungry and needed food, but they could only be fed when the supplies were deliberately and willfully put into Jesus’ hands.
HE BLESSED THE LOAVES. “He looked up to heaven, and blessed . . . ” Matthew and Luke also make a point of Jesus looking “up to heaven” (Matt 14:19; Lk 9:16). At the Last Supper Jesus also “took bread and blessed it” (Matt 26:26). In so doing, Jesus sanctified the food before He broke it for distribution. Paul reminds us that food is sanctified for consumption “by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim 4:5). I have observed many souls who made a practice of eating without prayer. This is not a comely practice. Even when Paul was in the midst of a storm, he encouraged the frightened passengers to “take some meat: for this is for your health.” He then “gave thanks to God in the presence of them all” (Acts 27:35). From a technical point of view, nothing that is not blessed by prayer is suitable for consumption.
We see here a picture of the necessity of the Lord’s blessing. If Divinity is not brought into the work, it is sure to fail. Human wisdom and power are not sufficient to engage in the work of the Lord. Thus the Psalmist wrote, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psa 127:1). It is only our “labor in the Lord” that is “not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). That is, it is only as we work in fellowship with Him, being sustained and directed by Him, that our work will ever amount to anything that will bring glory to God or true satisfaction to us.
HE BRAKE THE LOAVES AND DIVIDED THE FISH. There were “five loaves” and “two fishes,” but He did not hand them “whole” to His disciples. The multiplication took place in the breaking of the bread and dividing of the fish. Breaking the bread and dividing the fish is paralleled to the widow pouring the oil from a single “pot” into many vessels of diverse sizes (2 Kgs 4:2-7). It is also parallel to the widow who daily prepared food throughout a lengthy period from one barrel of meal and a single cruse of oil (1 Kgs 17:12-16). She never put anything into the barrel or cruse, but continued to take from them until the famine ceased.
Here too, a valuable principle can be seen. The truth of God is much like the five loaves and two fishes. From one point of view, it does not look adequate for the multifarious needs of humanity. That is why many add to it the rules of logic, statistics, psychology, sociology, and other forms of human wisdom. Considering the complexity of human life, and the staggering challenges that face us, the truth of God, as revealed in Scripture, simply does not seem adequate. This delusion is owing to a lack of familiarity with the nature of the Kingdom. It is with “use” that adequacy is realized. It is written of spiritual aptitudes, “even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:14).
It is also said of the preached, or dispensed, Word of God: “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). And again, “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). Just as the bread and fish were “multiplied” for consumption, so the word of God was ingested by those who believed, bringing spiritual profit and benefit to them.
HE GAVE TO HIS DISCIPLES. Matthew, Mark, and Luke say Jesus “gave” the supplies “to His disciples” (Matt 14:19; Lk 19:16). John says He “distributed to the disciples” (John 6:11). The disciples, in turn, distributed the food to the multitude. Here another principle is seen. It is the manner of the kingdom for the King to distribute the truth through those who are “holding fast to the Head” NKJV (Col 2:19). They, like the disciples who were with Jesus, then “minister” the “nourishment” to the other members of the body. Those who are dwelling in darkness must hear the Gospel from those who dwell in the Son, whom He “sends” forth with the bread from heaven (Rom 10:15). Jesus consistently distributes the truth through His people – those who walk in the light “as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), maintaining the fellowship with Him, into which God has called them (1 Cor 1:9).
THEY ALL EAT AND ARE FILLED
“ 42 And they did all eat, and were filled.”
THEY DID ALL EAT. Men, women, and children (Matt 14:21) all ate the same kind of bread – from the same supply: five loaves and two fishes. There was not a special bread for each group: more nourishing bread and meaty fish for working men, a lighter bread and more dainty fish for women, and a certain type of bread and very small fish for children. The difference was in the portion, not the bread and fish themselves. All of the bread, and all of the fish had the same nutritional value, with the only difference being in the portion.
We live in the day of religious specialties. Special gospels are prepared for special groups. There are even special Bibles being printed for special groups: men, women, children, teachers, students, young people, singles, etc. In this approach, the spiritual nutritional value of the material is reduced, so that what the children are given cannot possibly sustain the aged, regardless of the amount that is ingested. Without lingering too long on this matter, it will suffice to say that this is not the manner of the Kingdom of God. It rather reflects the wisdom of men and the way of the world. When Timothy was a child, the portions delivered to him were from the same source as nourished his mother and grandmother: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). Every believer must become adept in handling the Word of God, so that the truth itself is not presented in a watered-down form. This will require a close walk with the Lord and a working knowledge of the Word itself.
THEY WERE ALL FILLED. Ever Gospel writer makes a point of this – everyone was “filled” (Matt 14:20; Lk 9:17; John 6:12). No one was turned away that was in any sense hungry. Their appetites differed, to be sure, but they were “all filled.” John points out that every person ate “as much as they would,” “as much as they wanted” NKJV (John 6:11). There was no restriction. If your appetite required it, you could eat as much as you wanted.
This was also the way in which the manna was consumed by the Israelites. “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent” NKJV (Ex 16:16). Here is how the distribution was made. Everyone in the family was provided “one omer” (about two quarts). If there was a family of six, that amounted to twelve quarts. From that supply infants, children, young men and women, mothers, fathers, and perhaps grandparents, were fed. The outcome was that everyone received enough to thoroughly satisfy their appetite. It is written, “So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need” NKJV (Ex 16:18): the same supply, but differing levels of consumption. Paul refers to this principle when writing the Corinthians (2 Cor 8:14-15).
Thus Jesus fed the multitudes using the same formulae as was employed in feeding Israel with manna: same food, same supply, same day – distributed to the people according to their various appetites or needs.
Here is a most vivid picture of edification – or the feeding and nourishing of the “flock of God.” Solemnly, the under-shepherds are told, “feed the flock of God!” (1 Pet 5:2). And how is this done? Just as surely as Jesus fed the whole of the multitude with “five loaves and two fishes,” so the people of God are to be fed with “the good word of God” (Heb 6:5). It is not right to divide them into special-interest groups and tailor the word for each of those groups. That may appear wise to men, but it is not the way God works. This is not to say that special blessings may not be sought for the little ones, as when “they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them” (Lk 18:15). Matthew refers to “little children” (Matt 19:13), and Mark to “young children” (Mk 10:13). Here, however, we are speaking of feeding, teaching, or edification.
When Jesus was twelve years of age, he did not sit with the “youth leaders,” but with the “doctors,” or expert teachers of the Law (Lk 2:46). He was there to “learn,” and when required, He asked them questions: “both hearing them and asking them questions.” They also were astonished at the young Jesus, being amazed “at His understanding and answers.” He had been gathering from the same supply – the Scriptures – and had capitalized upon His access to the same God – growing in favor “with God” (Lk 2:52).
There is a certain incumbency placed upon the church when it comes together: “that all may learn, and all may be comforted” (1 Cor 14:31). When the Spirit moves through a member of the body, it is for “the profit of all” NKJV (1 Cor 12:7). The purpose for communicating an understandable message is “that the church may receive edification” (1 Cor 14:5). The saints are to seek to “excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Cor 14:12). Everything done in the assembly is to be “done unto edifying” (1 Cor 14:26). Yet, the church is not only comprised of the spiritually mature, but of novices as well. There are “fathers” who have a more profound understanding. There are “young men” who are noted for their zeal and are overcoming the wicked one. There are “little children” who only know their sins are forgiven and that God is their Father (1 John 2:13-14). But when the church comes together, Jesus feeds them all as He did the five thousand, besides women and children. The bread is the same, but the measure of it that is consumed is different. Our aim is that ALL will be filled.
AFTER THE FEEDING
“ 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”
GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS! John tells us, “When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” (John 6:12). The food continued to be served until everyone was filled. When it comes to dispensing the Word of God, I can only imagine what would happen if this rule was adopted in the average congregation – everyone eat until they are full!
Jesus said the reason for gathering up the fragments was “that nothing be lost.” An abundance of things from God does not mean that men can be wasteful! This principle was also taught under the Law. When reaping the fields, the corners were not to be reaped. The grain that dropped to the ground (“gleanings” ) was not to be picked up. “Every grape” was not to be harvested. The reason – “leave them for the poor and stranger” (Lev 19:9-10). Nothing lost.
Here, “fragments” does not refer to the crumbs left by the multitudes, as crumbs falling from the table (Matt 15:27). This refers to pieces broken off by Jesus that were not consumed by the multitude. This accentuates how abundantly God provides. If anyone is left hungry, it is not because enough was not provided! God can give us more than enough.
I have often pondered how excellent assemblies often experience the distribution of more heavenly bread than is apparently consumed. It is good to make a point of gathering up such goods and determine to muse upon them, “that nothing be lost.”
THEY TOOK UP TWELVE BASKETS FULL. Jesus started with five loaves and two fishes, and concluded with twelve baskets full of fragments that came from those five loaves. The twelve distributed the bread, and the twelve gathered the fragments – one basket each, which was more gathered by each disciple than the source of what was distributed! What is more, the baskets were “full of fragments” (Mk 6:43), for they “filled twelve baskets” (John 6:13).
This was visible proof that everyone had eaten until they were filled! Also, note that Jesus gave the command to gather up the fragments. The multitude was not as thankful as it should have been, leaving all of those fragments, and thinking nothing of providing for those who had nothing. They were not like Nehemiah: “he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10).
Matthew reminds us, “And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children” (Matt 14:21). Mark, Luke, and John, mention only the 5,000 men (Mk 6:44; Lk 9:14; John 6:10). The Gospel writers did not place the stress on the numbers, but on the Lord who fed them.
It does not say what they did with these filled baskets, but it should not surprise me if they were not given to “the lad” who gave his food up to Jesus (John 6:9). What a testimony that would have been when he returned home.
THOSE WHO SAW THE MIRACLE. John tells us the reaction of some of the filled multitude. “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” (John 6:14). This indicates that many did not have the faintest idea what had happened. They did not know about the lad with five loaves and two fishes, or the blessing and breaking of the bread by Jesus. Only those who were close were privy to what had really happened. Those who were at a distance had no way of knowing HOW the bread was supplied to them. Therefore, they could think no further than the bread. They were like the people at the wedding feast, who tasted miraculous wine, but thought it was part of a hidden supply of the host. They thought he had saved that wine until the last (John 2:9a).
However, those who ate the bread and fish, who were privy to what had happened, knew more of the situation. They “saw the miracle,” and drew a more proper conclusion about Christ. They concluded this was “the Prophet” that Moses said “should come into the world” (Deut 18:15,18). They were like the servants who filled and drew from the water pots at the wedding feast: they “knew from whence it was” (John 2:9b).
A WRONG CONCLUSION AND CHRIST’S REACTION. John tells us of the way the people who saw this miracle reasoned. “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone” (John 6:15). Jesus will not serve purely personal interests. He came from God, and He serves the Father’s interests, fulfilling His purpose. If a people do not want what God has purposed to give in Christ Jesus, the Savior will not linger among them. I believe this answers a lot of questions concerning the obvious absence of Jesus among the churches. They may have eaten His bread, but they have not seen Him correctly. They have wanted Him to be the answer to their carnal wishes instead of seeing Him as the exclusive means of participating in God’s “eternal purpose.” Therefore, He has left them to their own imaginations.