Feeding of the Five Thousand
Mark 6:30-44
Mark.6.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- συναγονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αποστολοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- απηγγειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εποιησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εδιδαξαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Luke 9:10 (verbal): Nearly identical report: the apostles return to Jesus and tell him all they had done — direct literary parallel to Mark’s wording and sequence.
- Luke 10:17 (thematic): The seventy return to Jesus and report what they had accomplished, echoing the motif of missioners returning with an account of their work.
- Mark 3:14-15 (thematic): The earlier commissioning of the twelve (“to be with him and to be sent out to preach”) provides the background for why the apostles return and report on their ministry.
- Matthew 10:1,7 (structural): Jesus’ commissioning of the Twelve to heal and proclaim the kingdom (and instructing them what to preach) parallels the missionary activity the apostles report in Mark 6:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- The apostles gathered to Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught.
- The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught.
Mark.6.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Δευτε: PRON,dat,pl,3 + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- κατ᾽ιδιαν: ADV
- εις: PREP
- ερημον: NOUN,acc,sg,fem
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αναπαυσασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- ολιγον: ADV
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ερχομενοι: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υπαγοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ευκαιρουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 14:13 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Jesus withdrawing to a solitary place after hearing of John’s death; similar wording about departing privately to rest.
- Luke 9:10 (verbal): Parallel narration of Jesus taking the apostles aside into a remote place (Bethsaida) for privacy and rest before the feeding of the five thousand.
- Luke 5:16 (thematic): Shows the recurring theme of Jesus withdrawing to solitary places to pray and recuperate—contextual echo of seeking solitude and rest.
- John 6:15 (thematic): After the feeding miracle Jesus withdraws alone to a mountain to avoid being forced into a political role; parallels the motif of withdrawal following intense public activity.
- Matthew 11:28 (thematic): Uses the language and theme of ‘coming away’ to receive rest—theologically related motif of Jesus as source of rest for the weary, resonant with the disciples’ need for repose.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
- And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Mark.6.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- απηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πλοιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- ερημον: NOUN,acc,sg,fem
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κατ᾽ιδιαν: ADV
Parallels
- Matthew 14:13 (verbal): Close Synoptic parallel: Matthew records Jesus withdrawing by boat to a solitary/deserted place after hearing the news—same movement and context leading into the feeding of the 5,000.
- Luke 9:10 (structural): Parallel narrative sequence: Luke also describes Jesus and the apostles withdrawing after their return; he locates the withdrawal to Bethsaida, showing a structural parallel though with some geographical variation.
- John 6:1 (thematic): John's account likewise places Jesus 'on the other side of the sea' prior to the feeding of the 5,000; thematically parallel as an instance of withdrawal across the Sea of Galilee leading to the same miracle.
- Mark 6:31 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel within Mark: Jesus' command to the disciples to 'come aside into a desert place, and rest a while' explains the purpose of the departure in 6:32.
- Mark 1:35 (thematic): Earlier example in Mark of Jesus rising early and withdrawing to a solitary place for prayer/rest—same motif of Jesus seeking solitude that underlies 6:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves.
- So they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
Mark.6.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- υπαγοντας: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- επεγνωσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πεζη: ADV
- απο: PREP
- πασων: ADJ,gen,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πολεων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- συνεδραμον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εκει: ADV
- και: CONJ
- προηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:13 (verbal): Near-identical account in the parallel tradition: people recognize Jesus and follow him on foot from the towns to where he withdrew (synoptic parallel to Mark 6:30–34).
- Luke 9:10–11 (verbal): Luke's parallel to the feeding/crowd scene: the apostles report to Jesus, and the crowds follow and are welcomed, echoing the movement of people from surrounding towns to Jesus.
- John 6:2 (thematic): John notes large crowds following Jesus because of the signs he performed; thematically parallels Mark's depiction of many running from the towns to seek Jesus.
- Mark 3:7–8 (thematic): Earlier Markan description of great multitudes following Jesus from many regions and towns—similar language and theme of people coming from surrounding places to be near him.
Alternative generated candidates
- But many saw them departing, recognized them, and ran there on foot from all the towns and arrived before them.
- But many saw them leaving and recognized them, and ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
Mark.6.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ειδεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- πολυν: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εσπλαγχνισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ως: ADV
- προβατα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- μη: PART
- εχοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- ποιμενα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- διδασκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 9:36 (verbal): Uses the same image and wording: Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion on them, because they are like sheep without a shepherd — a near verbal parallel to Mark's line.
- Matthew 14:14 (verbal): Similar scene and language: Jesus sees a large crowd, is moved with compassion, and responds (here by healing); echoes Mark's compassionate reaction upon seeing the crowd.
- Ezekiel 34:2-6,11-16 (allusion): The prophetic motif of bad shepherds and God's promise to seek and shepherd his scattered sheep underlies Mark's 'sheep without a shepherd' image — likely an allusion to Ezekiel's critique of leaders and promise of a true shepherd.
- Isaiah 40:11 (thematic): The pastoral metaphor of God (or the shepherd) tending, gathering and caring for the flock parallels Mark's depiction of the crowd as sheep needing a shepherd and Jesus' compassionate care and teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he came ashore he saw a great multitude and had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
- When he stepped ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Mark.6.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ηδη: ADV
- ωρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πολλης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- γενομενης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,sg,f
- προσελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Ερημος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τοπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηδη: ADV
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- πολλη·: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 14:15 (quotation): Immediate Synoptic parallel to Mark 6:35 in the feeding-of-the-5,000 scene: disciples tell Jesus the place is deserted and the hour is late, prompting Jesus' response and subsequent miracle.
- Luke 9:12 (thematic): Luke's account of the feeding of the 5,000 similarly notes the remote/deserted setting and the crowd's need, connecting the theme of a solitary place and urgent need that appears in Mark 6:35.
- John 6:5-10 (thematic): John's narrative of the feeding of the 5,000 parallels the occasion and sequence (desert setting, late hour, the disciples' practical concern about feeding the crowd), though with different details and dialogue.
- Mark 6:36 (structural): Direct continuation of Mark 6:35 within the same pericope: Jesus' reply ('Give them something to eat') responds to the disciples' comment about the deserted place and the late hour, moving the narrative toward the miracle.
Alternative generated candidates
- As evening was coming on, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place and the hour is now late.
- When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late.
Mark.6.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απολυσον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- απελθοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κυκλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αγρους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κωμας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αγορασωσιν: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,pl
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- φαγωσιν: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 14:15-16 (verbal): Same pericope: disciples propose sending the crowd away to buy food; Jesus replies that they should be given something to eat—verbal and situational parallel to Mark’s line about buying food.
- Luke 9:12-13 (verbal): Luke’s account records the disciples’ suggestion to send the crowd into surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, closely matching Mark’s instruction to let them go buy something to eat.
- Mark 6:37 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same episode: Jesus rejects the disciples’ proposal (‘You give them something to eat’), advancing the narrative from the suggestion to the feeding miracle.
- John 6:5-13 (thematic): John’s feeding-of-the-five-thousand pericope treats the crowd’s need for food and the disciples’ inability to supply it; thematically related to the suggestion that people go buy food and to Jesus’ provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Send them away that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves something to eat."
- Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding villages and buy themselves something to eat."
Mark.6.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Δοτε: PRON,dat,pl,3+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω·Απελθοντες: PRON,dat,sg,3+VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,pl
- αγορασωμεν: VERB,aor,act,sub,1,pl
- δηναριων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- διακοσιων: NUM,gen,pl,n
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- δωσομεν: VERB,aor,act,sub,1,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 14:16 (verbal): Parallel account of the feeding of the 5,000; Jesus says to the disciples (very similarly) 'You give them something to eat.'
- Luke 9:13 (verbal): Parallel feeding of the 5,000 narrative—Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the crowd, and the disciples respond with practical concern about buying food.
- John 6:7 (verbal): In the feeding of the 5,000 Philip (or Andrew in some details) replies that 'two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread,' echoing the exact monetary figure and the disciples' appraisal of cost found in Mark 6:37.
- Mark 8:4-5 (structural): Parallel feeding miracle (the 4,000) with a similar dialogic structure: disciples question how to feed the multitude and Jesus probes what food they have, highlighting the recurring problem-and-response pattern about providing bread.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"
- But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii to buy bread and give them something to eat?"
Mark.6.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ποσους: PRON,dat,pl,m+ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- υπαγετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ιδετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- γνοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- λεγουσιν·Πεντε: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl+NUM,card
- και: CONJ
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ιχθυας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:17 (verbal): Same feeding-of-the-5,000 context; disciples report 'five loaves and two fish' in response to Jesus' question about how many loaves they have.
- Luke 9:13 (verbal): Parallel account of the feeding of the 5,000 with nearly identical exchange—Jesus asks how many loaves they have and they answer 'five, and two fishes.'
- John 6:9 (allusion): John's version preserves the inventory (five barley loaves and two fishes) and the boy with the loaves, paralleling the small available ration before the miracle.
- Mark 8:5–7 (structural): Parallel feeding miracle (4,000) in Mark where Jesus similarly asks the disciples how many loaves they have and they report a small number (seven and a few small fish), showing a repeated narrative pattern.
- Matthew 15:34–36 (thematic): Matthew's account of the feeding of the 4,000 matches the structural theme of Jesus asking about available food and miraculously multiplying a small supply (seven loaves and fishes).
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had checked, they said, "Five—and two fish."
- He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had found out they said, "Five loaves and two fish."
Mark.6.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επεταξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ανακλιναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- συμποσια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- συμποσια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- χλωρω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- χορτω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:19 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel in the feeding of the five thousand—Jesus orders the crowds to sit down on the grass before he breaks the loaves.
- Luke 9:14 (verbal): Luke’s account of the same miracle records the people sitting down in groups on the green grass, closely matching Mark’s wording and arrangement.
- John 6:10 (structural): John’s narrative of the feeding notes that there was much grass in the place and the people sat down, identifying the same scene though with different emphases and details.
- Mark 8:6 (thematic): In the later feeding of the four thousand Jesus again arranges the crowd to sit down (here on the ground), showing a recurring pattern of organizing listeners/recipients before distributing food.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he charged them to have all sit down in groups on the green grass.
- Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.
Mark.6.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ανεπεσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- πρασιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πρασιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- κατα: PREP
- εκατον: NUM,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- πεντηκοντα: NUM,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 14:19-21 (structural): Parallel account of the feeding of the 5,000; corresponds to Mark's sequence of blessing, breaking, distribution, and the people eating (Matthew does not preserve Mark's precise 'by hundreds and by fifties' wording).
- Luke 9:16-17 (structural): Luke's parallel feeding narrative—Jesus gives thanks, breaks the loaves, and the people sit and are fed, matching Mark's depiction of orderly seating and distribution.
- John 6:10-11 (structural): John recounts the same miracle, including Jesus' instruction to have the people sit and the subsequent distribution of loaves and fishes, paralleling Mark's emphasis on arranging the crowd before feeding.
- Exodus 18:25-26 (thematic): Jethro's organizational divisions ('thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens') provide a background motif of orderly grouping by hundreds and fifties that echoes Mark's description of how the crowd sat down.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.
- So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.
Mark.6.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πεντε: NUM,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ιχθυας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αναβλεψας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ουρανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ευλογησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- κατεκλασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εδιδου: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- παρατιθωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ιχθυας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εμερισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:19 (verbal): Almost identical account of the feeding of the 5,000 — Jesus takes the loaves and fishes, looks up, blesses/thanks God, breaks the loaves, and gives them to the disciples to distribute.
- Luke 9:16 (verbal): Parallel narrative to Mark’s episode: Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish, looks up to heaven, blesses/breaks them, and gives them to the disciples for the crowd.
- John 6:9-11 (verbal): John’s version records the five loaves and two fish and emphasizes Jesus giving thanks (eucharistic tone) before distributing the food to those seated.
- Matthew 15:36 (structural): Feeding of the 4,000: similar structure and actions (taking, blessing/thanksgiving, breaking, and distributing), showing a recurring miracle-pattern in the Synoptics.
- Exodus 16:4-5, 15 (thematic): The manna narrative: divine provision of bread from heaven for a hungry people — thematically prefigures Jesus as God-given sustenance and miraculous provider.
Alternative generated candidates
- Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and he divided the two fish among them all.
- And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and he distributed the two fish among them all.
Mark.6.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εφαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εχορτασθησαν·: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 14:20 (verbal): Parallel account of the feeding of the 5,000 with nearly identical wording—'and they all ate and were satisfied,' showing Synoptic verbal agreement.
- Luke 9:17 (verbal): Luke's version of the same miracle uses similar language about everyone eating and being satisfied, reinforcing the common tradition.
- John 6:11-12 (verbal): John's feeding narrative also records Jesus distributing food and the crowd being filled—a similar report of miraculous provision and satisfaction.
- Mark 8:8 (verbal): Mark's account of the feeding of the 4,000 uses comparable language ('and they were satisfied'), thematically linking divine provision episodes in Mark's Gospel.
- Psalm 107:9 (thematic): Old Testament theme of Yahweh providing and satisfying the hungry; cited as a theological background for New Testament motifs of God's provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they all ate and were satisfied.
- And they all ate and were satisfied.
Mark.6.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- κλασματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- κοφινων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- πληρωματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ιχθυων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:20 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel: Matthew records the same detail that the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftover fragments (and of the fish).
- Luke 9:17 (verbal): Luke’s account likewise reports that the followers collected twelve baskets of leftovers after the feeding of the five thousand, mirroring Mark’s wording and detail.
- John 6:13 (verbal): John likewise reports that the disciples gathered twelve baskets of fragments, providing an independent Johannine witness to the same factual detail.
- Mark 8:8 (structural): Structural/thematic parallel in Mark: the feeding of the four thousand yields seven baskets of leftovers—contrasting numbers (seven vs. twelve) highlight a deliberate narrative pattern and possible symbolic significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took up twelve baskets full of the fragments and of the fish.
- And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.
Mark.6.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- φαγοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- πεντακισχιλιοι: NUM,nom,pl,m
- ανδρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:21 (verbal): Parallel account of the same feeding of the five thousand; Matthew records the same number and outcome (those who ate were about five thousand men, with addition of women and children).
- Luke 9:14-17 (verbal): Luke's narration of the feeding of the five thousand, giving the same numeric summary and similar sequence (taking, blessing, breaking, distributing).
- John 6:10-11 (verbal): John's account of the feeding of the five thousand emphasizes Jesus taking the loaves, giving thanks, distributing, and the eating of all, paralleling Mark's report of five thousand men fed.
- Mark 8:19 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the earlier feeding of the five thousand when questioning the disciples, explicitly referencing 'the five loaves for the five thousand' and the baskets collected—recalling Mark 6:44.
- Matthew 15:37 (thematic): Account of the separate but related miracle feeding the four thousand; thematically parallels Mark 6:44 as another miracle of miraculous provision and the gathering of leftovers into baskets.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who had eaten were about five thousand men.
- Those who ate were about five thousand men.
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while."
For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. So they went away in a boat to a desolate place by themselves. But many saw them leaving and recognized them; they ran there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.
When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late; send them away into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat."
They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" And he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five—and two fish."
Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he distributed the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.