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63. Five thousand are fed on five loaves and two

Time. A. D. 32. Near the Third

fishes.

Bethsaida.

AFTER these things Jesus Place. went over the sea of Galilee, Desert of which is the sea of Tiberias, Passover. into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, he saith unto Philip, "Whence "shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (and this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.) Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, "Make "them sit down by fifties in a company.” Now

To make trial of his faith.

:

b

a

b Amounting to six pounds nine shillings and two-pence, English.

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there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

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Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world.

64. Jesus walks on the Sea.

WHEN Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed again into the mountain himself alone. And when even was now

Place.

come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind Galilee. was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the

sea.

Sea of

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit: and they cried out for fear. But straight

way, Jesus spake unto them, saying, "Be of "good cheer; it is 1; be not afraid." And Peter answered him, and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O thou "of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Land of Gennesaret,

And when they had passed over, Place. they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, and ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 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.

65. Jesus discourses with the multitude in Capernaum; in the Synagogue of that city; and with his Disciples. Peter's confession.

THE day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples had entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks :) when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seek

ing for Jesus. And when they had Place. found him on the other side of the sea, Capernaum they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, " Ve

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rily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not "because ye saw the miracles, but because ye "did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour "not for the meat which perisheth, but for "that meat which endureth unto everlasting "life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them," This is the work "of God, that ye believe on him whom he

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In a comparative sense.

The Father hath sealed and confirmed the authority of the Son by the miracles you see me perform.

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"hath sent." They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that "bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you "the true bread from heaven. For the bread of "God is he which cometh down from heaven, and

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giveth life unto the world." Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them," I am the bread "of life: he that cometh to me shall never

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hunger; and he that believeth on me shall "never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye "also have seen me, and believe not. All that "the Father giveth me shall come to me; and "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast “out. For I came down from heaven, not to "do mine own will, but the will of him that "sent me. And this is the Father's will which "hath sent me, that of all which he hath given "me I should lose nothing, but should raise "it up again at the last day. And this is the "will of him that sent me, that every one which "seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may "have everlasting life: and I will raise him up "at the last day."

The Jews then murmured at him, be- Place. cause he said, "I am the bread which Synagogue. came down from heaven." And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith,

Psal. 78. 24, 25.

Should suffer none to be lost.

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