Topical Bible: Faith: Trial of of Philip, when Questioned by Jesus As to How the Multitude Would be Fed

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The trial of Philip's faith is a significant event recorded in the Gospel of John, where Jesus tests Philip by questioning him about how to feed a large multitude. This episode is a profound illustration of faith, divine provision, and the testing of human understanding in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Biblical Context

The event takes place in John 6:1-14, where Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the five thousand. This miracle is one of the few recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its importance in the ministry of Jesus. The setting is near the Sea of Galilee, where a large crowd follows Jesus because they have witnessed His miraculous healings.

The Questioning of Philip

In John 6:5-6 , it is written: "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, 'Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?' But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do." Here, Jesus poses a question to Philip, not out of ignorance, but to test Philip's faith and understanding.

Philip's Response

Philip's response is pragmatic and reveals a reliance on human reasoning. In John 6:7 , Philip answers, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece." Philip calculates the cost and concludes that feeding such a multitude is financially impossible. His response reflects a common human tendency to focus on material limitations rather than divine possibilities.

The Role of Faith

This interaction between Jesus and Philip serves as a lesson in faith. Jesus uses the situation to demonstrate that faith transcends human logic and limitations. While Philip sees the impossibility, Jesus sees an opportunity for divine intervention. The trial of Philip's faith is not about the bread itself but about recognizing Jesus as the source of all provision.

The Miracle

Following Philip's response, Andrew, another disciple, mentions a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus takes this meager offering, gives thanks, and distributes it to the crowd. The result is a miraculous feeding of about five thousand men, not including women and children, with twelve baskets of leftovers collected afterward (John 6:8-13).

Theological Implications

The trial of Philip's faith underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Provision: The miracle demonstrates God's ability to provide abundantly beyond human expectations. It is a testament to Jesus' divine nature and His compassion for the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

2. Testing of Faith: Jesus' question to Philip serves as a test of faith, challenging believers to trust in God's power rather than their own understanding. It encourages Christians to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's provision.

3. Human Limitation vs. Divine Power: Philip's response highlights the limitations of human reasoning when faced with divine possibilities. The event encourages believers to rely on God's power, which surpasses human comprehension.

4. Symbolism of Bread: The bread in this miracle symbolizes Jesus as the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), pointing to the spiritual nourishment and eternal life He offers to all who believe in Him.

In summary, the trial of Philip's faith, as recorded in the Gospel of John, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in God's provision and the necessity of trusting in His divine power over human limitations.

Nave's Topical Index

John 6:5,6
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him, he said to Philip, From where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

"Give Ye them to Eat"
... eat?" This He said to test the faith of the ... Philip looked over the sea of heads,
and thought how ... we may not, by reckless movements, place ourselves in trial. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 39 give ye them.htm

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... opposition to this idea, the fact itself is questioned. ... anxious to shorten the suspense,
since trial could not ... this: lie granted the request of faith, but he ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... Philip V. Otterbein, the German minister who had assisted in ... the Pietists; a people
in their faith, discipline, and ... his name be all the glory in Christ Jesus!'. ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... Of these were Philip, one of the twelve Apostles ... fast confirms the agreement in the
faith.{HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS ... dissension is particularly on its trial before the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... on the sea; the Spirit caught away Philip from the ... built upon him, are all the actings
in faith and love ... stubble; that is, things that will not abide the trial. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... we were to learn how to act faith, that came ... Surely, surely their hearts would be
affected; nor could the ... communicated to everyone that did see your Jesus bleed ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm