New Catholic Illustrated Bible: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

The New Catholic Illustrated Bible

Editor's note: Today, I am very happy to begin a special three week feature for our readers. For each of the next few Wednesdays, I will be sharing with you an excerpt from the amazing new resource, The New Catholic Illustrated Bible. Published by Saint Benedict Press, edited by Amy Welborn, and masterfully illustrated by Lars Frederiksen, this newly released Catholic edition story Bible is a treasure that belongs in every home. For the next few weeks, we'll be sharing stories and illustrations directly from The New Catholic Illustrated Bible. I hope you enjoy them, and that you'll strongly consider making this beautiful resource a part of your family's spiritual library. LMH

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Jesus got into a boat and crossed the Sea of Galilee. When he heard that John the Baptizer had been beheaded by King Herod, he went to a deserted place, not far from the city of Bethsaida. Jesus brought his disciples with him, saying, “Come with me, away from where people live, so we can rest.”

However, so many people were going to see Jesus that he and the disciples hardly had a chance to eat. After they got into the boat, a large crowd saw them leave and followed them on foot along the edge of the sea. Many other people in the towns along the way joined them. they brought those who were sick in hopes that Jesus would heal them. When the boats landed at the shore, the huge crowd was already there. Jesus welcomed them. He was filled with love for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He healed everyone who needed to be healed.

It was getting to be late in the day. The twelve apostles said to Jesus, “Send the people away so that they can go into the villages and buy some food for themselves. There is no food here.”

Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” He asked Philip, who was from Bethsaida, “Where should we buy food for all these people?” Jesus knew what he would do. He asked Philip this question to test him.

Philip answered, “Eight months’ wages would not be enough to give each man even a bite.”

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said, “Here is a boy who has five small barley loaves and two small fish, but what is that among so many people?”

Jesus told them to have the people sit down on the green grass in groups of fifty and one hundred. there was plenty of grass in that area. So the people sat down. There were about five thousand men there, not counting women and children. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. Looking up to heaven, he blessed it, thanking God for it. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples. They gave it to all the people. Everyone had as much to eat as he wanted.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Then Jesus told the disciples, “Pick up the bread and fish that are left over. None of it will be wasted.” When they were finished, there were twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish!

The people said, “Surely this is the Messiah who is coming into the world!” Jesus knew that the people wanted to take him by force and make him be their king. He told the disciples to go across the sea to Capernaum, where he would meet them later. Then Jesus sent the crowds away and went up the mountain to pray.

Those who had witnessed the multiplying of the loaves and fish to feed thousands of people hoped that Jesus would become an earthly king. they were impressed that their bellies were full. they didn’t seem very interested in God’s words for them. Jesus said to them, “You are looking for me because you have eaten bread and were well fed. Don’t look for the food that spoils, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. God the Father has set his seal on him.”

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

They asked, “What should we do to do the works of God?”