Friday 7 December 2012

The Feeding of the five thousand


The Miracles of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish is found in all four Gospels. The numbers in all Gospels are the same. However, there are significant differences in the manner in which the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) narrate the miracle.

Give at least two differences in the miracle as narrated by John and the Synoptic Gospels.

The Synoptic Gospels
The Gospel of John
No mention of Passover
Passover (to link it up with the sacrifice of Jesus since there is no breaking of the bread at the last supper only the washing of the feet)
The disciples take the initiative and request/ask Jesus to tell the crowds to go away
Jesus takes the initiative and asks Philip the question about feeding.
The disciples have the 5 loaves and 2 fish
Andrew finds a lad who had 5 barley loaves and 2 fish
Jesus says a BLESSING
Jesus gave the bread to the disciples to give to the people.
Jesus gives THANKS (EUCHARIST). John is probably saying that Jesus celebrated the Eucharist with the crowds. This is also why Jesus gave the bread to the people himself.
No instruction from Jesus to gather up the fragments
Jesus instructs the disciples to gather up the fragments so that none may be lost (roots of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist)

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