Jesus is on the shores of Galilee
Jesus Teaches the Multitude (Matt. 14:14; Mark 6:34; Luke 9:11b; John 6:2-4)
- When Jesus landed on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, He saw the large crowd coming and He had compassion on them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.
- Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of GOD. He healed those who needed healing.
Passover, 29 AD
Jesus Feeds 5,000 Men (Matt. 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-14)
- It was late in the day and the disciples suggested to Jesus that He send the people away so they could go to nearby villages and buy food for themselves.
- Jesus tested Philip and told him to give them something to eat. Philip responded that 8 months' wages wouldn't buy enough bread for the entire crowd to have one bite.
- Andrew pointed out to Jesus a small boy who had 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish.
- Jesus told the apostles to have the people sit down in groups on the grass. They sat in groups of 100 and 50.
- Jesus took the bread and fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and passed out pieces to the disciples which they set before the people.
- They all ate and were full, and the disciples picked up 12 full baskets of broken pieces of fish and bread.
- There were 5,000 men who ate.
- The people saw the miracle Jesus performed and thought of Him as the Prophet that is to come into the world.
Kingship Avoided (Matt. 14:22-23a; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:15-17a)
- Jesus immediately made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida while He dismissed the crowd.
- Jesus knew that the people intended to make Him their king by force, so He withdrew to a mountain by Himself.
Jesus Walks on Water (Matt. 14:23b-27; Mark 6:47-50; John 6:17b-21)
- It was now dark and Jesus hadn't yet joined the disciples.
- A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
- Jesus saw the disciples straining on the oars because the wind was against them.
- About the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the lake.
- They had rowed 3.5 miles when they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on water. Jesus was about to pass by them and they thought He was a ghost. They cried out because they were terrified.
- Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Peter Walks on Water (Matt. 14:28-33; Mark 6:51-52)
- Peter said to Jesus if it was Him to call Peter to walk to Him on the water. Jesus said, "Come".
- Peter got down out of the boat and walked on water and came toward Jesus.
- When Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out and caught Peter.
- Jesus said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
- When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
- The disciples were amazed because they had not understood about the loaves because their hearts were hardened.
- They worshiped Jesus, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
Jesus and the disciples visit the plain of Gennesaret
Miracles at Gennesaret (Matt. 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56)
- Jesus and the disciples landed at Gennesaret.
- As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout the region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was.
- Wherever Jesus went the people placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Jesus to let them touch even the hem of His cloak. When they touched Him they were healed.
Jesus is in Capernaum
People Realize Jesus Left, Search in Capernaum (John 6:22-24)
- The next day the people realized Jesus had left so they got into boats and went to Capernaum to search for Him.
Jesus Teaches on the Bread of Life (John 6:25-40)
- When the people found Jesus, they asked Him when He arrived there. Jesus confronted them regarding their motives for seeking Him, saying they sought Him because He fed them physical food.
- Jesus taught not to labor for the food that spoils, but for food enduring to eternal life, which Jesus provides.
- Jesus said that the work of GOD is to believe in Him whom GOD had sent.
- The people then asked Jesus for a sign -- completely ridiculous considering what they had seen just the previous day. Jesus contrasted the physical bread which GOD provided through Moses in the desert with Himself which GOD provided to them in their current day. Jesus said He was the bread of GOD which has come down from heaven and gives life to the world.
- The people asked Jesus to give them that bread from now on.
- Jesus explained that the person who comes to Him will never go hungry and the one who believes in Him would never be thirsty.
- Jesus confronted them because they had seen Him and still didn't believe.
- Those the Father gives to Jesus come to Him and He will never drive them away.
- Jesus came to do the Father's will and not His own.
- Jesus will not lose one soul that the Father has given Him, but will raise them up at the last day.
- GOD's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and Jesus will raise him in the last day.
Jews Frustrated Over Jesus' Claims (John 6:41-51)
- People began to grumble over Jesus' statements about being the bread from heaven, because they thought they knew Him -- Joseph and Mary's son.
- Jesus confronted them about their grumbling. Only those the Father draws can come to Jesus.
- Jesus explains how He is greater than the bread that perishes. All the forefathers who partook of it are dead.
- No one has seen the Father except Jesus.
- The one who eats Jesus' flesh will live forever.
Jews Argue Over Jesus' Statements on Eating Flesh (John 6:52-59)
- The people argued among themselves as to how Jesus could give them His flesh to eat.
- Jesus reiterated that those who fail to eat His flesh and drink His blood have no life in them. They failed to understand that Jesus spoke of partaking of the Lord's Supper as His disciples which would come later on.
- Jesus said all these words in the synagogue of Capernaum.
Many Disciples Turn Away (John 6:60-71)
- When they heard these things, many disciples found Jesus' teachings as "hard", so they turned away and walked with Him no more.
- Many of those who did not believe would betray Jesus later on.
- Jesus turned to the apostles and asked if they wanted to leave also. Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe that You are the Holy One of God."
- Jesus reminded them that He had chosen them, and mentioned that one of them was a devil -- referring to Judas who would betray Jesus later. Amazingly, there is no indication that the apostles questioned Jesus regarding this statement. Perhaps they thought He was joking.
Jesus Condemns Tradition (Matt. 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13)
- The Pharisees and teachers of the law gathered from Jerusalem to Jesus. They saw the disciples eating without washing their hands first. The Jews had a tradition that there should be a ceremonial hand-washing before eating. The Pharisees and religious leaders only ate after they'd washed.
- They asked Jesus why His disciples didn't obey the traditions of the elders. Jesus replied that the Jewish leaders honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far away from Him. They worship GOD in vain, their teachings being but rules taught by men. Jesus said they had let go of GOD's commands and were instead holding onto traditions of men.
- Jesus showed them their hypocrisy using the example of Moses' teaching regarding honoring one's parents, whereas the Jewish leaders taught that gifts given to GOD took precedence over honoring one's parents, which is contrary to the Law.
- Jesus said they did many things like that.
Jesus Contrasts Inward and Outward Defilement (Matt. 15:10-20; Mark 7:14-23)
- Jesus called the crowd to Himself and taught that it isn't what goes into a man that defiles him, but rather what comes out of a man.
- People asked if Jesus knew that the Pharisees were offended at His actions. Jesus replied that the plants GOD hasn't planted will be uprooted. They are blind guides leading the blind.
- Peter, and perhaps the other disciples, didn't understand so he asked Jesus for an explanation. Jesus explained that sin which originates in the heart of man, is what defiles.
- From this point, Jesus stayed in Galilee as opposed to Judea because the Jews were waiting to kill Him.