Gospel of John –Lesson 16

By Joyce Webb 2025

John Chp. 6 Vs. 1-14

Vs. 1 Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee—-also called the Sea of Tiberias.

Vs. 2 Many people followed him because they saw how he healed the sick.

Vs. 3 Jesus went up into the mountain with his disciples.

Vs. 4 It was near the time for the Passover (very holy days for the Jews). Every Jew was required to celebrate the Passover.

The women and children did not need to go to the temple. But they could go if they wanted to.

The men were required to bring a lamb to the temple for a sacrifice for the sins of the man and his family.

The lamb was killed at the temple. Its blood was sprinkled on the altar at the temple.

The men then took the portion of lamb that was his to eat —and took it home for the family to eat together.

If the whole family went to the temple together—they could eat the lamb together as a family there at the temple.

Vs. 5 Jesus saw the great crowd of people that had followed him.
He said to Philip, one of the disciples, “Where will we buy bread to feed all these people?”

Vs. 6 Jesus said this to Philip—to test him—to see what he would say. (Jesus already knew what he himself would do.)

Vs. 7 Philip said–Two hundred pennyworth of bread would not be enough—even if each one only took a little.

(Two hundred pennyworth—would take a man about 7 months to earn that much money.)

Vs. 8-9 Andrew, one of the disciples—and Peter‘s brother, said—There is a young boy here who has 5 barley loaves (probably meaning rolls or buns)—and 2 small fish. But what is that among so many people?

Vs. 10 Jesus told them to have the people sit down. There were about 5,000 men. (It seems the count of the men was the main number—but there would have been women and children also.)

Vs. 11 Jesus took the bread and fish—he prayed and gave thanks—then as the food multiplied—he gave it to the disciples to pass out.

The people could eat as much as they wanted.

Vs. 12-13 When the people had eaten all they wanted—the disciples gathered up what was left.
They filled 12 baskets with bread.

Vs. 14 When everyone saw this miracle—they said—This must be the prophet we have been looking for that should come into the world.

(In the Old Testament, God promised to send a “savior” to the Jewish people. He was called the Messiah—the Anointed One).

The Jewish people had been looking for this person to come for hundreds of years.

In their mind—a “savior” meant someone who would be a ruler/king— and would defeat the foreign kings who ruled over them. In Jesus’ time—it was the Romans who ruled over them.

God’s idea of “savior” was someone who would save them from the death penalty (punishment) of the sins.

Much later—a “king” would come to rule over them.

They were right in that that “prophet had come to them“—Jesus was the Messiah.

The Jewish church leaders did not think so. And they became angry when they heard the people say that Jesus was the Messiah.

The Jewish church leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus. He was a threat to their leadership. They did not want him to be their “king“.

They were certainly expecting a different kind of person to be their king—Jesus did not fit their idea of king.)

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Questions Gospel of John –Lesson 16

By Joyce Webb 2025

John Chp. 6 Vs. 1-14

1. How many people did Jesus feed there on the mountain?
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2. How much food did Jesus have to start with? _________

3. What do you think Jesus might have done— if the boy did not have a lunch —-or would not give up the lunch? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Jesus could have done a miracle with no food. He could have created food by speaking it to happen.

But Jesus often wants people to be willing to trust him and show faith in him. The boy had to give up his lunch—not knowing what Jesus planned to do—not knowing if he would have anything to eat if he gave away his lunch. He was the only one there who was prepared for a long day—with lunch. Why should he give it away?

Some times Jesus asks us for something. We do not know how he plans to use it—-or if we give it—will we have to go without what we need. That is where faith and trust come in.

Jesus proved he could be trusted. The boy could eat more than he brought—if he wanted to. There were 12 more baskets of bread— if he wanted it.

4. What does the word “Messiah” mean? ____________________
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5. What did most of the Jewish people think the Messiah was going to do when he came? __________________________________
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