Topical Bible: Fish: Miracles Connected With of the Loaves and Fishes

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The miracles of the loaves and fishes are among the most well-known events in the New Testament, illustrating Jesus Christ's divine authority and compassion. These miracles are recorded in all four Gospels, emphasizing their significance in the ministry of Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

The first miracle, commonly referred to as the Feeding of the Five Thousand, is detailed in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14. This event took place near Bethsaida, on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd had followed Jesus, eager to hear His teachings and witness His healing power. As evening approached, the disciples urged Jesus to send the people away to find food. However, Jesus instructed them to feed the crowd.

In John 6:9, Andrew, one of the disciples, mentioned a boy who had "five barley loaves and two small fish." Jesus took these humble provisions, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people. Miraculously, the food multiplied, and all were satisfied. The Berean Standard Bible records, "When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.' So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten" (John 6:12-13).

This miracle not only demonstrated Jesus' power over nature but also symbolized His ability to provide spiritual nourishment. The twelve baskets of leftovers signify the abundance of God's provision and the completeness of His care for His people.

The Feeding of the Four Thousand

A similar miracle, the Feeding of the Four Thousand, is recounted in Matthew 15:32-39 and Mark 8:1-10. This event occurred in the region of the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area. Once again, a large crowd had gathered, and Jesus expressed His compassion, saying, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way" (Matthew 15:32).

The disciples questioned how they could feed such a multitude in a remote place. Jesus asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They replied, "Seven, and a few small fish" (Matthew 15:34). Jesus took the loaves and fish, gave thanks, and distributed them. The crowd ate and was satisfied, and the disciples collected seven basketfuls of leftovers.

This miracle, like the first, underscores Jesus' compassion and His ability to meet both physical and spiritual needs. The number of baskets collected, seven, often symbolizes completeness and perfection in biblical numerology, further highlighting the sufficiency of Christ's provision.

Theological Significance

The miracles of the loaves and fishes are rich in theological meaning. They reveal Jesus as the Bread of Life, who provides for the physical and spiritual needs of His followers. In John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst" . These miracles foreshadow the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, where Jesus offers Himself as spiritual sustenance for believers.

Furthermore, these events demonstrate the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. The Feeding of the Five Thousand primarily involved a Jewish audience, while the Feeding of the Four Thousand took place in a Gentile region. Together, they signify the universal reach of the Gospel, breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile and offering salvation to all who believe.

In summary, the miracles of the loaves and fishes are profound demonstrations of Jesus' divine power, compassion, and the abundance of His provision. They invite believers to trust in His ability to meet their needs and to partake in the spiritual nourishment He offers.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 14:19
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
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Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
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Luke 5:6
And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.
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Luke 9:3-17
And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor money, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
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Library

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... it then, he knew that that one fish, the only ... we see that Jesus performed some of
his miracles for the ... was preaching in the yard, or court, connected with some ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

The Government of Nature.
... from ours by any impassable gulf"rather connected by gently ... On the individual miracles
of this class, I have ... of success, for there had been no fish there all ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/ix the government of nature.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Gospel Narratives.
... they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of ... had fed many thousands with a few
loaves and fishes ... as a fable, why deny the lesser miracles connected with his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iv authenticity and credibility.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... the bread would grow mouldy, and the fish would be ... power you must go and"not work
miracles, but just ... but which Jesus Christ makes to be connected with his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

The Beach and the Sea
... first miraculous draught of fishes which was connected with their ... He 'taketh bread
and giveth them and fish likewise,' as He had done in the miracles by the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the beach and the sea.htm

The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from ...
... Whether or not something connected with this arrested the attention ... up in the reference
to the two miracles (St ... the chief dep??t for salting the fish for export ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxvi the feeding of.htm

the harmony of the gospels
... Thou Goest;" And of the Other Things Connected Therewith, and of ... Out of the Mouth
of the Fish, an Incident ... to Be Interdicted Who Was Performing Miracles in His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the harmony of the gospels/

part i
... Faith in God's existence is closely connected with faith in ... just after waking up,
like a fish, which sometimes ... of Christ do not perform any miracles, until I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm