Philip answered him, “Breads of two hundred denarii do not satisfy them, in order that each one may take hold of a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, states to him, “A boy is here who has five barley breads and two savoury-fishes, but what are these among so many?”
“Two hundred denarii” would be roughly £15,000 today. A denarius was at that time a day's work for a labourer. A boy’s packed lunch box is available.
Jesus said, “Make the men to lie down.” In fact, there was much grass in the place. So the men lay down, about five thousand in number. So Jesus laid hold of the breads, thanked, and gave to those resting-down—likewise also from the savoury-fishes, whatsoever they were desiring.
“The men”? Clearly, Israel in AD 30 was a male dominated society. But, to be fed, these males were instructed to “recline” (twice). Indeed, it was only when they were “recumbent” – totally inactive recipients – that they were given “whatsoever they wanted”.
In fact when they were satisfied, he states to his disciples, “Gather the exceeding broken pieces in order that not one thing may self-destroy.” So they gathered and filled twelve baskets full with broken pieces from the five barley breads which exceeded those eaten.
Having fully “satisfied” the hunger of the “large crowd”, Jesus is anxious to make it abundantly clear that there is plenty more available for others. For “the weakening”? Twelve baskets of breads. One basket for each of the twelve disciples to give to others? All from Jesus.
So the men having seen a sign that he did were stating, “This is truly the Prophet who is coming into the world.”
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