The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle Jesus performed before his followers that is recorded in all four Gospels (see John's account in John 6:2–13).

The disciple Andrew seems to have become familiar enough with Jesus' modus operandi to be hoping against hope that the five barley loaves and two small fishes might be used to feed the multitude. Some interpreters say the 5,000 “men” does not include a large population of women and children who would have also been fed. And one commentator has been quoted as saying the miracle wasn't all it has been thought to be; perhaps they were just five very large loaves and two big fishes.

Walking on Water

Jesus walking on water is reported by the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, but Matthew is the only one who tells of Peter's joining him on the lake's surface (see Matthew 14:22–33). It seems apparent that Jesus wanted to test and to strengthen his disciples' faith when, as Matthew records, he sent them across the lake before him. Peter's faith has long and often been characterized as the most impetuous of all the disciples, which is demonstrated here, but it could also be called the most robust, as he was willing to test his own limits. And Jesus' invitation to him to join him on the water can be seen as symbolizing his desire that his disciples become more like him by being willing to try previously impossible feats, through growing faith.

Feeding of the Four Thousand

Matthew's and Mark's Gospels both record this second mass feeding miracle just a few paragraphs after describing the feeding of the 5,000 (see Mark 8:1–10). This miracle was performed on the other side of the lake from the first, where most of the residents were gentiles. And Matthew specifies in his account that this time there were 4,000 men, plus women and children. The large crowds who were attracted to Jesus and experienced his miracles no doubt made up the core of early members of the church, which spread quickly after Pentecost, as will be discussed in Chapter 9.