John 6:1-29 ▼

1 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).

2 A large crowd was following Him, because they were watching the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.

3 But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.

5 So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?”

6 But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do.

7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!”

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 fish; but what are these for so many people?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.

11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.”

13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

15 So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone.

16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

18 In addition, the sea began getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing.

19 Then, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat; and they were frightened.

20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

21 So they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

22 The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there except one, and that Jesus had not gotten into the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had departed alone.

23 Other small boats came from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats and came to Capernaum, looking for Jesus.

25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”

26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate some of the loaves and were filled.

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

28 Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”