John 6:5-9 (WEL) Then Jesus, lifting his eyes and seeing a large crowd coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we going to buy bread so these can eat?” 6 He said this to test him because he knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii’s worth of bread is not enough for them, so that every one of them could take a little.” [200 denarii are 200 days’ wages. 1 denarius is 1 day’s wage. 1 denarius was about 6.81 grams of silver]. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew (Simon Peter’s brother), said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fishes, but what are they among so many?”
V5 Then Jesus, lifting his eyes and seeing a large crowd coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we going to buy bread so these can eat?”
Jesus could have just given a command, but He chose instead to ask a question.
Principle: Good teachers ask questions as a teaching method.
Principle: It is obvious that God did not decree Philip’s answer. Jesus knew, but Philip replied.
V6 He said this to test him because he knew what he was going to do.
John points out that this is for a test. Philip had seen a number of miracles, heard Jesus teach, and had learned much. Now, Jesus is going to test him. Jesus knew, but He wanted Philip to know for himself. The question is can Jesus supply their needs. The answer would be, “Jesus might you not provide for them.”
Jesus is teaching the people, the disciples, and especially Philip.
V7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii’s worth of bread is not enough for them, so that every one of them could take a little.”
200 denarii are 200 days’ wages. 1 denarius is 1 day’s wage. 1 denarius was about 6.81 grams of silver.
Philip sees the size of the crowd and knows they don’t have such a sum of money.
V8 One of his disciples, Andrew (Simon Peter’s brother), said to him,
Andrew had a little more insight to let Jesus know this fact.
Matthew Henry remarks:
“The strength of his love to those for whom he saw his Master concerned, in that he was willing to bring out all they had, though he knew not but they might want themselves, and any one would have said, Charity begins at home. He did not go about to conceal it, under pretense of being a better husband of their provision than the master was, but honestly gives an account of all they had.”
V9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fishes, but what are they among so many?”
Warren W. Wiersbe writes:
“The practical lesson is clear: whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest. Begin with what you have, but be sure you give it all to Him. That little lad is to be commended for sharing his lunch with Christ, and his mother is to be commended for giving him something to give to Jesus. The gift of that little snack meant as much to Jesus as the pouring out of the expensive ointment (John 12:1).
“But did Jesus really perform a miracle? Perhaps the generosity of the boy only embarrassed the other people so that they brought out their hidden lunches and shared them all around. Nonsense! Jesus knows the hearts of men (John 2:24; John 6:61, John 6:64, John 6:70) and He declared that the people were hungry. Surely He would have known of the existence of hidden food! Furthermore, the people themselves declared that this was a miracle and even wanted to crown Him King! (John 6:14-16) Had this event been only the result of mass psychology, the crowd would not have responded that way. John would never have selected this as one of the “signs” if it were not an authentic miracle.”
The ability to meet needs does not always mean we should. Most should figure out how to help themselves, but if they are unable and we are able, then we should help others. These people did not have food with them to eat, so there was genuine need and the people unable to help themselves.
We learn:
- About Jesus’s love, recognition of needs, and wanting to help (Jesus has the ability to do so).
- About some principles of teaching from the Master Teacher.
Questions:
- Are you able to recognize needs?
- Do you help if able?