Matthew 14:13 - Meaning and Application

This story about Christ feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fish is told by all four Evangelists, and very few of Christ’s miracles are. That shows there is something here worth special notice.

Notice first the great crowd that came to Christ when he had withdrawn to a lonely place (Matthew 14:13). He withdrew into private when he heard not of John’s death, but of Herod’s thoughts about him, that he was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod feared him, and because of that Christ moved farther away, out of Herod’s reach. In times of danger, when God opens a way of escape, it is right to flee for self-preservation, unless we have a clear call to face the danger.

Christ’s hour had not yet come, so he would not force himself into suffering. He could have protected himself by divine power, but he chose to act with human wisdom, and he went away by boat. Yet a city on a hill cannot be hidden. When the people heard where he was, they followed him on foot from all around. Christ had such power over people’s hearts that his leaving only drew them after him more eagerly. Here, as often, Scripture was fulfilled, that to him the people would gather. It seems there was even more crowding to Christ after John’s martyrdom than before. Sometimes the suffering of God’s people helps spread the gospel (Philippians 1:12), and the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Once John’s witness was finished, it was remembered and valued more than ever.

When Christ and his word seem to withdraw from us, it is best, whatever our natural feelings may say, to follow after them. We should value opportunities for our souls above all worldly gain. When the ark moves, you must move with it and go after it (Joshua 3:3). Those who truly long for the pure milk of the word will not let difficulties keep them from hearing it. Christ’s presence and his gospel make a lonely place not only bearable, but desirable. They turn the wilderness into an Eden (Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 41:19, 20).

Next, see the tender compassion of our Lord Jesus for those who followed him (Matthew 14:14). He went out and appeared publicly among them. Though he had gone aside for safety and rest, he came out again when he saw people eager to hear him. He was willing to labor and even put himself at risk for the good of souls, because even Christ did not please himself.

When he saw the crowd, he had compassion on them. A large crowd should naturally move us to pity. If we think about how many precious, immortal souls are there, and how many of them are neglected and in danger of perishing, it should deeply grieve us. No one shows pity for souls like Christ does. His compassion never fails. He did not only feel pity, he helped them. Many were sick, and out of compassion he healed them, because he came into the world as the great Healer. Later they were all hungry, and out of compassion he fed them. In every kindness Christ shows us, he is moved by compassion (Isaiah 63:9).

Then the disciples suggested sending the crowd away, and Christ overruled their suggestion. As evening came on, they thought the day’s work was finished and it was time for the crowd to disperse. Christ’s disciples are often more careful to seem sensible than to show zeal and strong concern for God’s work.

Christ would not send them away hungry, nor keep them longer without food, nor make them go out and buy food for themselves. Instead, he told his disciples to feed them. Christ always showed more tenderness toward the people than his disciples did. What are the kindest human mercies compared with God’s tender mercy in Christ? See how unwilling Christ is to part with those who are determined to stay with him. “They do not need to go away.” Those who have Christ have enough, and do not need to leave him in search of happiness or provision in the world. Those who have secured the one thing needful do not need to be distracted by many lesser cares. Christ will not put willing followers to needless expense, but will make their attendance on him affordable.

But if they are hungry, then they do have need to eat, because necessity cannot be denied. So he says, “You give them something to eat.” The Lord cares about the body. He made it, and he purchased it, and he himself took on a body so we would trust him to provide our bodily needs. Still, he gives special care to the body when it is being used to serve the soul in his work. If we seek first the kingdom of God and make that our main concern, we may trust God to add the other things as he sees fit, and we may cast all our care on him. These people followed Christ only for a test, in a moment of excitement, and yet he took care of them. How much more will he provide for those who truly follow him with full commitment.

Finally, look at how little provision there was for such a great crowd, and compare the number of guests with the food available. There were five thousand men, not counting women and children. The women and children may have been as many as the men, or even more. This was a huge crowd to hear Christ preach, and we have reason to think they listened closely. Yet it seems that the larger part, despite all this apparent eagerness, gained nothing from it. They later went away and followed him no more. For many are called, but few are chosen.

We should value the word’s success more by the number converted than by the size of the crowd. Though a large and attentive crowd is also a good sight and a good sign. The food was far too small for so many people, only five loaves and two fish. The disciples were carrying this with them for their own household while they were in the desert. Christ could have fed them by miracle, but he wanted to set an example for us about caring for those in our own homes, so he had their own camp supplied in an ordinary way. There was no luxury, no variety, and no special treat here. Fish was no rare thing for fishermen, but it was enough food for the twelve. Two fish for supper, and bread perhaps for a day or two, with no wine or strong drink, only the water they could draw from the desert rivers. And yet Christ intended to feed the crowd from this little. Those who have only a little, if urgent need requires it, must help others from what they have. That is the way little becomes more.

Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Yes, when he chooses, he can set a rich table there.

The generous sharing of this provision among the crowd is seen in Matthew 14:18, 19. Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.” The way to make our ordinary comforts truly good to us is to bring them to Christ. Everything is made holy by God’s word and by prayer to him, so what we place in the hands of the Lord Jesus is likely to prosper under his care. If we give something in charity, we should first bring it to Christ, so he may accept it and bless it to the people who receive it. That is doing it as unto the Lord.

At this miraculous meal, we first notice the seating of the guests (Matthew 14:19). Jesus told them to sit down, which shows that they had been standing while he preached. Standing was a posture of respect and readiness to move, but now they were to rest on the grass. When Ahasuerus, the Persian king, wanted to display the wealth of his kingdom and the honor of his greatness at a royal feast, his guests reclined on beds of gold and silver, with a pavement of marble beneath them (Esther 1:6). Jesus was now showing the riches of a greater kingdom and a far greater majesty, one that rules even over nature itself. Yet there was no cloth spread, no plates or napkins, no knives or forks, and not even a bench to sit on. In plain simplicity, he had them sit on the grass, showing that his kingdom was not of this world and did not come with outward show.

Next, we see the asking of a blessing. He did not appoint one of his disciples to act as a chaplain. Instead, he himself looked up to heaven, blessed the food, and gave thanks. He praised God for the provision they had and asked God to bless it to them. By asking for a blessing, he was in effect commanding a blessing, for he prayed with authority. In this prayer and thanksgiving, he likely also had in view the multiplying of the food. At the same time, he taught us a good practice for our meals, to ask God’s blessing and give thanks. God’s good gifts should be received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4). Samuel blessed the feast (1 Samuel 9:13), and the early believers ate with gladness and thanksgiving (Acts 2:46, 47; Acts 27:34, 35). This is how we eat and drink to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and give thanks to God (Romans 14:6). It is like eating before God, as Moses and his father-in-law did (Exodus 18:12, 15). When Christ blessed, he looked up to heaven to teach us to look to God as our Father in heaven. When we receive our comforts, we should look the same way, knowing they come from God’s hand and depend on his blessing.

Then we notice the giving out of the food. The Master of the feast became the one who served it. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd. In this way, Christ honored his disciples, showing that they were workers together with him. He also showed how the spiritual food of the word would be given to the world, from Christ as the original source, through his ministers. What Christ intended for the churches he made known to his servant John (Revelation 1:1, 4). The apostles delivered all that, and only that, which they received from the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:23). Ministers can never fill the hearts of the people unless Christ first fills their hands. What he gives to the disciples, they must pass on to the crowd, for they are stewards who must give each person his proper share of food (Matthew 24:45). And no matter how large the crowd is, there is enough for all, and enough for each.

We also see the increase of the food. The Gospel notes the result, but not the cause or the exact manner of it. It does not record any spoken word by which Christ multiplied the loaves. The purposes of his mind and will still take effect, even when they are not spoken aloud. One thing is clear, the food multiplied in the giving out, not while it was still in the first heap. As the widow’s oil increased while it was poured out, so here the bread increased as it was broken. In the same way, grace grows when it is used, while other things are used up by use, spiritual gifts increase through use. God gives seed to the sower, and he multiplies not the seed stored away, but the seed sown (2 Corinthians 9:10). So there is one who scatters and yet increases, who scatters and so becomes richer.

Finally, we see the full satisfaction of all the guests with this provision. The supply was far smaller than the need, yet there was enough and more than enough. They all ate and were filled. Those whom Christ feeds, he fills, just as the promise says, “They shall be satisfied” (Psalm 37:19). There was enough for all, since they all ate, and enough for each, since they were filled. Though there was little at first, it was enough, and enough is as good as a feast. God’s blessing can make a little go a long way. But if God withholds his blessing, we may eat and still not have enough (Haggai 1:6).

There was also plenty left over. They gathered up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces, one basket for each apostle. What they gave away, they received back, and more besides. They were not careless with the leftovers, but could save the broken pieces for another time and still be thankful. This showed the greatness of the miracle, and it showed that Christ’s provision for his people is not meager or tight, but rich and abundant, with bread enough and to spare (Luke 15:17). Elisha’s multiplying of the loaves was something like this, but far less than it, and there it was said, “They shall eat and leave” (2 Kings 4:43). The same divine power works here, though in an ordinary way, in the yearly growth of seed planted in the ground and in the earth’s harvest. What is scattered out in handfuls is brought home in sheaves. This is the Lord’s doing. Through Christ all created things hold together, and by the word of his power they are upheld.