John chapter 6

Possibly the longest chapter in the new testament!

vs 1

Verses 1-4 are all just setting the scene. This gives us a lot of historical and geographical background for the situation. In an age where conserving paper was of considerable value to the writer, I think we cannot discount the importance of these verses to our understanding of what John's purpose is for writing.

Jesus has now crossed to the far shore of the sea of Galilee. I don't know which one is the far one. I don't know what side they started on. But now he's on the other side.

vs 2

This is going to be one of those times where a large crowd is involved. But this large crowd are not disciples - they are hangers on - wanting to see miracles or to have sick people healed. There's nothing wrong with doing that per se, but when the Son of God is walking the earth, you'd think he'd be more than a sideshow attraction.

vs 3

Jesus is currently up on a mountainside, and he's only with his disciples. So there, down the mountain, is the sprawl of crowds, but Jesus is having some disciple time.

vs 4

Finally, we know it's near another passover, which helps us to put it in a little bit of a time reference.

vs 5

This starts the real discussion of the most recorded miracle of Christ (aside from his resurrection) - the feeding of the 5000. It's the only major miracle recorded in all 4 gospels. It is interesting that he asks Philip particularly. Why? I don't have any idea. But he does.

vs 6

Jesus is asking the question to test Philip, but probably more generally as a test to all the disciples. Jesus, it seems, already had a plan.

vs 7

So Philip has at least considered the situation - there is about 5000 men down there, and even if they had 2/3 of a year of wages, they couldn't even give them all a little bit to eat. So Philip has at least looked at and considered the situation.

vs 8-9

Andrew takes some initiative, and points out that someone brought some food - the famous five loaves and two fish. He also makes the remark that this won't go far. Darn right - it was one boy's dinner!

vs 10

Something's obviously going to happen if Jesus is giving wierd instructions. The 5000 men sat down at Jesus' behest. The truth probably is that there were women and children there (we know at least one boy was there holding some bread and fish), but because of the cultural norm, they probably wouldn't have eaten until the men had eaten and had their fill. Culturally, yes, this can mean women and children (particularly girls) can go hungry. So Jesus follows the cultural rule, but only in such a way as to make sure everyone gets something.