Mark 6:30-36 (NKJV) Feeding the Five Thousand
(Matt. 14:13–21; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14)
30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.”
V30 “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.” The Apostles had completed their mission and had returned. Jesus is now receiving their report on what they did and the response. A principle is taught that there is accountability (Romans 14:12, and Hebrews 13:17) for all to someone in authority. A pastor should give a report to the church members/attenders. A missionary should do the same. Jesus knows everything, but wishes for our input. Also, Jesus could correct any wrong teaching or actions. Perhaps, because of what they experienced, they would have questions that Jesus would answer.
V31 “And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” Ministry can be very exhausting. Jesus, recognizing this, wanted His followers to have proper rest (Genesis 2:2, Exodus 23:12). One of the purposes for the Sabbath is for a day of rest. The deserted place would allow them to be away from the crowd. Compare Psalm 23:2-3, Psalm 3:5 (KJV sustain equals a rest by leaning on someone or something), and Isaiah 58:11 (spiritual rest).
V32 “So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” So, they did.
V33 “But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him.” Yet, they couldn’t leave unseen. The crowds saw them and started running after them. O, that all of us would put forth this effort to be with Jesus. Often, though at this time the crowds sought Jesus only for physical needs and not spiritual needs.
V34 “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” His compassion is wonderful. Compassion is motivated by love. Compare God’s love in John 3:16 (love for people to be saved and have forgiveness of sins), 1 Corinthians 6:20 (because of God’s love, we can reveal our love for Him by living an approved life), Luke 6:27 (we are to love our enemies because God loved His enemies enough to send the Savior—Romans 5:8-10), and John 14:15 (His love should prompt our love for Him by our obedience to the Law of Christ).
V35 “When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.” The day was finished. They had traveled for rest but ended up serving many. They, in compassion, wanted to send the crowd away so they could eat and rest. Jesus had spent the time preaching and teaching the crowd.
V36 “Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” Jesus is going to teach the disciples about what He plans to do next. Constable notes: “The disciples assumed that Jesus wanted the people to provide their own suppers. They reminded Jesus of the time so He could dismiss them. Jesus had something else in mind. He wanted to teach the disciples and the multitudes to look to Him for their needs. He was the ultimate source of all they needed.”
We learn:
- About Jesus’s ministry.
- About His love.
- About His concern and compassion.
Questions:
- Do we reflect God’s love for us to others?
- Do we rest?
- Do we, when resting, take time to pray and study the Scriptures?