Feeding of the 5000 Comparison Chart

Feeding of the 5000 is one of two miracles included in all of the Gospels. Can you guess what the other miracle is? If you said the resurrection, you would be correct. That’s why this makes such a fascinating Bible lesson. What did each of the Gospel authors think was important? What did they leave out? Was any shade thrown? John loves to throw shade and make sarcastic comments, but I digress. So, if you’re teaching older kids, this Feeding of the 5000 comparison chart would make a great addition to your Sunday School class.

(there are affiliate links)

Supplies for this Feeding of the 5000 activity

Bible (Finding the right Bible for you), Feeding of the 500 chart (included in the Feeding of the 5000 unit), pen, highlighters

Making observations of Jesus Feeding the 5000

First, just read each passage and write down everything you notice.

It’s really simple, but it’s important.

If you’re doing this in a Sunday School class, I would split them into four groups and have each group read one passage.

I write lots of notes, and try very hard to make sure I get every little detail, because the details are important.

What I noticed as I wrote this down

After I wrote down all of the observations I could find. I grabbed a highlighter and started highlighting common ideas.

All of them include what was happening immediately before, but only two agree on what was the immediate events.

If you’ve ever retold something from your life with another family member present, you know that you will be constantly contradicted, so this makes sense.

Three of them mentioned how Jesus had compassion on the crowd and began to teach them, and healed them. John never mentions healing or teaching. He only mentions trying to get alone for unknown reason.

They all specify it was 5000 men, some mention there are also women and children.

They all mention there are 12 baskets of leftovers.

I wonder how long those baskets were still good later on.

What does the Feeding of the 5000 teach?

Years ago I went on a mission trip and we emphasized Jesus has power over many things: demons, the elements, and sickness.

The Feeding of the 5000 is important because it shows how Jesus cares for us. He doesn’t just care about our spiritual needs, but He cares about our physical needs. He made a point to feed everyone.

Not just the important, or His disciples, but even the children.

It also shows how Jesus is willing to put aside His wants to serve others. It’s a great example of servant leadership.

Why are they different?

As I filled out the Feeding of the 5000 chart it gave me some insights.

I noticed they all emphasized how much Jesus cared for the crowds.

Sometimes Jesus uses this as a chance to also teach His disciples a lesson. He asked them how to feed the crowds, and what should be done.

In Matthew, it feels like the crowd just recognizes Jesus’ authority because they sit like they recognize who is in charge.

In all of them, Jesus prays and thanks God for the food saying a blessing over it. That and the leftovers are the only details across all of them.

John is the only one to name who found the food. This is consistent with John, over and over again John names who did the thing. It feels like John is trying to make sure we do not look up to them too much, as he points out their failures many times. But he also gives them credit where it’s due, like with Andrew.

All in all, this is an interesting way to look in more details at a unique miracle.

More detailed Bible studies of particular passages

• God made you special and He loves you very much
• Fall of Man worksheet
• boy Jesus at the temple chart
• Body of Christ lesson