
This chapter brings us back again to Galilee, and we read of another of the great “signs” which Jesus did. The miracle of feeding the five thousand has evidently a special importance, since it is related in each of the four Gospels. Our chapter gives us the teaching, based upon it and relating to it, which makes apparent its significance. The miracle itself is described in such a way as to emphasize the Lord’s resource and foreknowledge.
Jesus first addressed Himself to Philip. Now this was the disciple who did believe Moses’ writings, as we saw in John 1 : 45; yet when tested here he did not look beyond the purchasing power of money. Jesus Himself “knew what He would do.” In such an emergency the best that could be said of other servants of God would be that not knowing what to do, they looked to God for direction, and got it. But here was One, who knew what to do, and knew He had the power to do it. Before Andrew spoke of the lad with his small loaves and fishes, He knew about them. To have such knowledge, and wield such power as to know with absolute certainty what one will do, is the prerogative of Deity. Statements such as this are common in this Gospel: see John 2: 24, 25; John 13: 3; John 18: 4.
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