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In this lesson:
Jesus feeds the hungry, walks on water, and heals the sick. From this lesson on, we move quickly to the crucifixion. Study Tip: Don't forget to click on the links and read the margin notes in blue. |
Jesus walks on water
By the Russian landscape painter Julius von Kleven (1850-1924) |
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 6:33-56
Miracles 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: 36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. 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. 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. 45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. |
Margin notes:
"Many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them." (6:33) - Excited crowds from all the cities in the area "recognized Jesus and ran on foot (along the shore) and got there before them." See also Matthew 14:13. "Was moved with compassion toward them." (6:34) - Because God loves us. "This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed." (6:35) - "This is a desolate place and the time is late." "Give ye them to eat." (6:37) - Jesus feeding 5,000 people in this passage is reminiscent of Elisha (with God's help) feeding one hundred men with just a sack of grain, twenty small loaves of barley, and a few ears of corn (2 Kings 4:42-44). "Two hundred pennyworth." (6:37) - A large sum of money in Jesus' day, equal to about eight months pay for the average person. "Loaves." (6:38) - These were small, flat, barley loaves (John 6:9). People would eat several in a meal. "Sit down by companies." (6:39) - Means, "Sit down in groups." "Straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship." (6:45) - "Immediately he urged His disciples to get into the ship." "Bethsaida" (6:45) - A small town in Galilee located on the north-east shore of the Sea of Galilee six miles east of Capernaum. It was the hometown of three disciples, Peter, Philip, and Andrew (John 1:44). Jesus visited Bethsaida often and performed many miracles there (Mark 8:22-25). It was while teaching near Bethsaida that Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. Lost for almost two thousand years, archaeologists located Bethsaida's ruins in 1987. "When even was come." (6:47) - "When evening had come." "The wind was contrary unto them." (6:48) - "The wind was against them." "About the fourth watch of the night." (6:48) - Based on Roman timekeeping, the fourth watch is between 3 AM and 6 AM. "The land of Gennesaret." (6:53) - A small plain located south of Capernaum on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Due to its fertile soil it was called "the paradise of Galilee." In earlier times the Sea of Galilee was called the Lake of Gennesaret. "Straightway they knew him." (6:54) - "Immediately they (the people of Bethsaida) recognized Him." "Besought him." (6:56) - "Begged Him." |
See Matthew 14:13-21 (reading 29), Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:5-13 to learn more about the "miracle of multiplication."
Except for Christ's resurrection, this is the only miracle mentioned in all four Gospels.
Except for Christ's resurrection, this is the only miracle mentioned in all four Gospels.
New Living Translation
Mark: 6:33-56
Jesus feeds five thousand
33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.
34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.
36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat."
37 But Jesus said, "You feed them."
"With what?" they asked. "We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!"
38 "How much bread do you have?" he asked. "Go and find out."
They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish."
39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.
42 They all ate as much as they wanted,
43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.
44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!
Jesus Walks on Water
45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home.
46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land.
48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them,
49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.
50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage! I am here!"
51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,
52 for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
53 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore
54 and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once,
55 and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was.
56 Wherever he went-in villages, cities, or the countryside-they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus feeds five thousand
33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.
34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.
36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat."
37 But Jesus said, "You feed them."
"With what?" they asked. "We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!"
38 "How much bread do you have?" he asked. "Go and find out."
They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish."
39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.
42 They all ate as much as they wanted,
43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.
44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!
Jesus Walks on Water
45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home.
46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land.
48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them,
49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.
50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage! I am here!"
51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,
52 for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
53 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore
54 and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once,
55 and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was.
56 Wherever he went-in villages, cities, or the countryside-they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." (6:34)
"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. And they did all eat, and were filled." (6:41-42)
"And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them." (6:48)
"And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole." (6:56)
"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. And they did all eat, and were filled." (6:41-42)
"And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them." (6:48)
"And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole." (6:56)
Today's Question:
1. If Jesus is God, why did He pray? (6:46)
These lessons shouldn't be your only Bible study. Take time each day to read the Bible on your own. There is much more to learn.
1. If Jesus is God, why did He pray? (6:46)
These lessons shouldn't be your only Bible study. Take time each day to read the Bible on your own. There is much more to learn.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus prayed to show us the importance of humility, dependence on God, and that prayer should be an essential part of our lives.
On page 1445 of "The Quest Study Bible" (published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan) we are reminded that "Jesus himself is God, but he is not God the Father. Because he lived in constant communication with the heavenly Father, Jesus' consistent prayer life provided a living example for his disciples and enabled him to identify with our humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16)."
The Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
Application thought for the day:
The crowd following Jesus were like lost sheep looking for a shepherd (6:34). Christ is our shepherd, without Him we are in danger of being scattered or devoured (Ezekiel 34:5-8). Only Jesus can lead, protect, and save us when we're lost.
He alone can restore our soul and lead us to the path of righteousness (Psalm 23).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2025 evolke