The feeding of the 5000 is a focal point of all four Gospel accounts. John places this event at or near the 2nd Passover in Jesus’ ministry (John 6:1-4), two years before his death. It is the only one of the four Passovers in his 3 ½ year ministry that was not spent in Jerusalem. He chose to celebrate this Passover in Galilee. Why? Perhaps the reason is that news of John’s beheading would set events in motion before Jesus wanted them to occur (cp. John 6:15). Jesus is always in control. He controlled all the events leading to his capture and crucifixion. No one laid hands on him, until he was ready. It is also true the authorities at Jerusalem were already seeking Jesus’ life for healing on the Sabbath day during the Pentecost season (John 5:16-18; John 7:1, 25). John’s death may have given these same authorities the impetus they needed to destroy Jesus as well. You know, ‘When you’re on a roll…’
On the other hand, Jesus may have had compassion upon John’s disciples—sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:30), and stayed simply because they needed him. No matter what the reason, Jesus did not go to Jerusalem to celebrate the 2nd Passover in his public ministry. Jesus controlled the vacuum left by John’s departure by remaining in Galilee. Many of John’s disciples would have been in Galilee where he was imprisoned, so they could minister to him and keep him informed about Jesus (Luke 7:18). These same disciples would have been among the 5000 to whom Jesus ministered. They were without their shepherd (Mark 6:34), and Jesus had compassion on them.
By feeding the 5000 Jesus was revealing to the apostles the outcome of their preaching in the different towns of Galilee. I am not certain the number 5000 is all that important, except that it is significant enough to far exceed the apostles’ supply. When Jesus sent them out (Luke 9:1-6), they took neither food nor money for food (v.3). Yet, they fed the spirits of everyone they met, having only that which the Lord had deposited in their own hearts. The people were spiritually fed and were satisfied, so they sought Jesus. The apostles’ ministry was successful (Mark 6:30-31). Physically speaking, Jesus fed the people again with only a few loaves and fishes, which the apostles had in their supply (v.13). Once more the people were satisfied.
What was Jesus teaching his disciples, as he told them to meet the needs of the 5000? To understand this I believe we must know why Jesus sent them throughout Galilee, preaching the Gospel. Up to this time they had not gone anywhere without Jesus. I remember my fear on my first day of school as I saw my mother leaving me with strangers. I remember my feelings of apprehension when I joined the armed forces, knowing I no longer lived under the love and protection of my parents. I remember my worry of inadequacy on the day I married my wife, Kay. I believe the apostles had similar feelings as they went preaching the Gospel, as they healed their first person, as they cast out the very first demon. Was Jesus merely training the apostles for when he would not be with them? Not entirely so!
The apostles were given authority when they went throughout Galilee preaching the Gospel. Without authority, no one would have been turned to seek Jesus through their word. Without authority, no one would have been healed of their diseases. Without authority, demons could never have been brought into subjection. When Jesus sent them out, he was showing them that he had deposited something within them that they did not have until that very time.
When they returned and Jesus had them pass out the bread and fish, what was going on in their minds and hearts as they kept reaching into their baskets and bringing out more and more from their supply to feed the people? I can only imagine their wonderment as they realized the needs of the people would be met with such a small supply. They knew their inadequacy (Luke 9:13; John 6:9). They knew it was Jesus who fed the 5000 and all those whom they served throughout the towns of Galilee.
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