After the death of John the Baptist all four of the gospels bring out the story of the gathering and feeding of the “5000" in the “wilderness”, near the Sea of Galilee Jesus is with his disciples (the original twelve). This miraculous event occurs near the Feast of the Passover. This is the Passover of the year before the fateful one and the crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:34-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13).
The original disciples are: Simon Peter (a rock), his brother Andrew (many), originally a follower of John the Baptist; Peter’s friends and fishing partners, James (Jacob…to guard) and John (Yahweh has been generous), who are the Sons of Zebedee (thunder); Matthew (gift of Yahweh), an ex tax gatherer, publican; Philip (fond of horses) is from the same town as Peter and Andrew; Philip’s friend Bartholomew (furrow); Thomas (twin); Judas (Judah, a tribe of Israel), also called Thaddeus (breast); James (Jacob), son of Alphaeus (changing); Simon (tribe of Simeon) the Canaanite (Jew from Galilee) is a zealot (Jewish patriot/terrorist); and Judas Iscariot (town of Kerioth, in southern Judea) is another zealot. Just common folks, many of whom probably can’t read or write, with Matthew the Publican, a notable exception…most make their living on the sea. But God chooses them, not for their intellect, but for their faithfulness.
…JOHN 6:1-13…After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). And a great multitude was following Him, because they were seeing the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews was at hand. Jesus therefore lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” And this He was saying to test him; for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. And when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost”. And so they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.
…LUKE 9:17…And they all ate and were satisfied; and that which was left over to them of the broken pieces was picked up, twelve baskets full.
The fact that so many are fed with so little is miracle enough, but suppose we consider how he is able to bring his message to so many without amplification…another miracle? True, he is gifted with an ability to project his voice, I have no doubt, but how can he be heard by so many? Naturally there would be a cluster of people close to him, but shear numbers would take most of the thousands some distance away.
It’s Spring (remember it’s April…Passover time) and I visualize that Jesus stands near the shore, and the hill forms a natural amphitheatre; the multitude surround him and hug the hill above. So his voice carries.
He has been preaching for many hours and now its dusk; and Jesus flashes his sense of humor when he turns to his disciples and asks how they’re going to feed these folks, knowing full well the answer and that the Lord will provide.
This miraculous event may have occurred near Bethsaida (place of fishing) in the wilderness, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galile (circle)…there is no “wilderness” or “mountain” on the western shore. Although there is some degree of confusion about this and the Church of Tabgha (seven springs), commemorating this event, is on a hill on the western side of the sea. Under the altar there is a moundlike rock, with signs of gouging by Christian souvenier collectors, said to be the rock on which the fish and loaves were apportioned. In front on the floor is a mosaic of two fish, and a basket for the bread.
Mark tells of the disciples getting in the boat and going to Bethsaida, to the east, but ending up in Gennesaret (garden of riches) and that’s on the west bank (Mark 6:45, 53).
…MARK 6:45, 53…And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away. And when they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
Now that’s confusing! Maybe the storm explained below, causes the boat to change course in mid-sea.
Matthew and John are in agreement, in that the boat sails to the west. Matthew says they “landed in Gennesaret” John says they “sailed to Capernaum (Nahum’s town)” (Matthew 14:34, John 6:17).
Luke’s narrative omits the boat trip. (Note: Gennesaret (garden of the prince) must have been the general term used for the western shore of the Sea of Galilee /Lake Gennesaret.)
It is during this sailing across the Sea of Galilee that Jesus joins his followers, walking upon the waters, and he calms the fierce storm that threatens to capsize the boat . It is then that Peter first demonstrates “a lack of faith”when he walks out on the water to join Jesus, but then becomes afraid. Jesus saves him from drowning, saying, “O, you of little fath,why do you doubt?” And again according to Matthew, it is the first time that the disciples acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 14:24-34; Mark 6:47-53; John 6:18-21).
…MATTHEW 14:24-34…But the boat was already many stadia (one stadia is 600 feet) away from land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 AM). He came to them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took ahold of him, and said to him, “O, you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” And when they had crossed over, they came to the land at Gennesaret.
I’ve admired a painting by a local artist depicting this scene. In the foreground is the boat in the trough of a huge wave, with the disciples clinging to whatever’s available to keep from getting thrown into the storm-tossed sea…lightning flashing (the terrible sound of thunder imagined); and in the background Jesus, his face wreathed in serenity, approaching them on splayed-out feet that rest on the water.
Now we should keep in mind that the occupants of this boat are used to being on this sea…many are fishermen. Storms normally present no threat to them, but they are terrified.
The lake/sea that I saw on my visit to Tiberias (good vision…named for Emperor Tiberias) was tranquil, but it has been said that this little inland sea can stir up a tempest at any moment. But, for these experienced boat-people to react the way they do, this has to be the mother of all storms.
Some could fault Peter for his lack of courage. Jesus accuses him of a lack of “faith”, but take his place in that battered boat and see how quickly you would jump out into the angry, turbulent sea to WALK on the WATER. He at least made some progress on his walk!
Galilee is a part of the Principate of Herod Antipas. It is here that Jesus is openly opposed by the “law keepers”, the Pharisees, and “scribes”. They tempt him, demanding signs. Many of the “law keepers” hate Jesus, because he is a threat to the status quo, and because they believe wrongly, that he is claiming to be God (Matthew 16:1; John 10:33).
…MATTHEW 16:1…And the Pharisees and Saducees came up, and testing Him asked Him to show them signs from heaven.
…JOHN 10:33…The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
For his part, Jesus dislikes the Pharisees (separated ones) and Saducees (followers of High Priest Zadok), considers them evil. He is contemptuous of them, because he knows them to be hypocrites…espousers of the law, but not adherents to the law (Matthew 15: 7,8).
…MATTHEW 15:7, 8…“You (Pharisees and scribes) hypocrites rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me.’”
The “law keepers” are no doubt encouraged to bait Jesus by Herod Antipas and his followers (Herodians), in order to ensnare Jesus; and cause him to commit some blasphemous act. This would give Herod (son of a hero) an excuse to imprison him as he had John the Baptizer, as both Jesus and John were heralding the kingdom of the heaven (Matthew 3:1,2; 4:17).
…MATTHEW 3:1,2; 4:17…Now in those days, John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”…”From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Herod believes, wrongly, that Jesus with his teaching of the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God, is preaching sedition. He views the espousal of the kingdom as a threat to his rule. He also believes, rightly, that Jesus’ very presence is stirring up unrest, and Herod is a man who dislikes contention and strife.
It is during this period that the Galileans grow dissatisfied with Jesus, and ask him to leave Galilee. Many of his own disciples leave him (none of the original twelve), because they cannot believe what he is teaching. And Jesus becomes discouraged, because the Galileans will not heed his message of the coming kingdom by repenting their ways (Mark 6:2; 5:17; Matthew 11:20-24).
…MARK 6:2-6; 5:17…And when the sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses, and Judas and Simon?
Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own home town and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He had laid hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief…And they began to entreat Him to depart from that region.
…MATTHEW 11:2024…Then He began to reproach the cities in which most of the miracles were done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you Chorazin! (a town near the Sea of Galilee) Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgement, than for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You shall DESCEND TO HADES; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred to you, it would have remained to this day. Nevertheless I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgement, than for you.”
Imagine this? Despite the many miracles the people in his home town don’t believe him, turn him out…hard to believe. Maybe they are afraid of the danger he represents. Is there any wonder that he becomes discouraged?
Jesus alienates the Pharisees, the scribes, and the Herodians, by his words and actions; and Herod has gone on record as wanting to “see” Jesus, and ultimately intends to kill him. Herod fears the effect that Jesus’ teachings has on the people, and because Herod is involved in an incestuous marriage, he might well fear that Jesus would censure him as John had. Also he wants to curry favor with the “law keepers” by silencing him, as he had John the Baptist (Luke 9:9;13:31; Mark 6:18; Matthew 14:10).
…LUKE 9:9; 13:31…And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man (Jesus) about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him…Just at that time some Pharisees came up, saying to Him (Jesus), “Go away and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”
…MARK 6:18…For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”Herod Antipas is ruler of Galilee and Peraea by order of Imperial Rome. Why should he care what the Pharisees and other “law keepers” think of him?
Because he is trying to prove his “Jewishness”. He is a Jew by fiat. John Hyrcanus, the Jewish Maccabean king, had conquered Idumea (from land of Edom) and compelled the Idumeans to become Jews, or die (B-15-379). Idumea is the land of Herod ruled by his ancestors. Idumeans were descended from Esau (hairy) the first son of Isaac, brother to Jacob (heel-catcher). Jacob became Israel, father of the twelve sons (The tribes of Israel), some of whom came to be called “Jews” following their return to Jerusalem, from Persia (Ezra 4:12).
…EZRA 4:12…let it be known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you (Persia) have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.
(Note:This is the first time the word “Jew” is used in the bible…circa 440 BC.)
And so because of a decree by Imperial Rome, the sons of Israel serve the sons of Esau, even though in God’s blessing of Jacob/Israel through Isaac, it was to be Esau who was to serve Israel. Consequently, the Herodian family is considered by many Jews to be usurpers; and Herod, who seems to suffer from a lack of esteem, seems always to be trying to “prove” himself (Genesis 27:38-40)…
…GENESIS 27:38-40…And Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” So Esau lifted his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered and said to him, “Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling. And away from the dew of heaven from above. And by your sword you shall live, And your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.”
(Note: The Herodian rule may well have been the time
Jesus needs peace and solitude during his final days on earth. He knows that his days are limited. Indeed, he no doubt knows that the Passover of the following year will be his last. He has no wish to contend with Herod and his supporters. He is discouraged by the antipathy of the Galileans, and the loss of faith by some of his disciples.
Again he goes to Bethsaida, and enters the Tetrarchy of Gaulinitis (from Golan?…Golan heights) governed by Herod’s brother, Philip. Apparently Philip does not view Jesus as a threat. Or maybe because there is no love lost between brothers, he may provide a refuge out of spite. He married Herod’s stepdaughter, Salome. Josephus called Philip “just”…So Jesus uses Gaulinitis as a refuge, and Bethsaida is the original home of Peter, Andrew and Philip (John 1:44).
…JOHN 1:44…Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.Bethsaida plays an important part in the life of Jesus. Of all the cities in northern Galilee, aside from Capernaum, it is the one most often mentioned in scripture. It is the principal city of Gaulinitis. Philip, the Tetrarch, named the city Bethsaida-Julias for the emperor Tiberius’ mother, LiviaJulia. Bethsaida is a center both for fishing and fish processing.
It has been mentioned that the sons of Zebedee, James and John, are also from Bethsaida. That means that at least five of the twelve, Peter, Andrew, James, John and the disciple Philip are originally from that city.
There, Jesus takes stock of the time remaining (about a year), and decides that he must do several things to prepare for his death: visit other locations where his followers are to say goodby and encourage them (he has already made a last visit to the towns around the shores of Galilee, in a “circuit”), prepare his disciples and family for his coming death on the following Passover; and make a physical journey to places that are important to him for symbolic and personal reasons (Mark 6:6).
…MARK 6:6…And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was was going around the villages teaching.…MARK 8:27…And Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”
But before the visit to Caesarea Philippi, he travels, with his disciples, to the area of Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:24).
…MATTHEW 15:21…And Jesus went away from there (Galilee) and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon.