John 6:1-21: The Fourth and Fifth Signs

John 6:1-21:

The Fourth and Fifth Signs

By Dr. Hal Harless

Foundation Fellowship of Greenville, TX

September 20, 2009

I. Introduction

A. Please turn to John 6:1.

B. While you are turning....

A pastor was once talking to an agnostic and was trying to convince him and convert him to Christ. "Speaking of miracles," the pastor said, "if a man jumped out of a ten-story building and did not die, would that not be a miracle?"

"No," said the agnostic, "it would only be an accident."

"Then what if he jumped out the second time and he didn't die. Wouldn't you say that would be a miracle?" [inquired the pastor.]

"No, that would be a coincidence[,]" [replied the agnostic.]

"Then what if the third time? Wouldn't that be one?" [pressed the pastor.]

[The agnostic answered,] "No, that's just a habit!"[1]

Jesus was in the habit of doing things that did not have natural explanations. Johns says that these miracles are signs that point to who Jesus is. Today's passage covers two more of these signs.

II. Exposition

A. Background

1. We are still in Jesus' public ministry (John 2:1-12:36a).

2. Last week, we had the confirmation of those claims (John 5:31-47).

3. Chapter 6 is entirely in the Galilee; with chapter 7, the focus returns to Judea where it will remain until our Lord's death and resurrection.

4. This week we will look at the fourth and fifth signs that John indicates point to who Jesus is:

a. The feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)

b. Jesus walking on the water (John 6:15-21)

B. Exposition: the fourth and fifth signs (John 6:1-21)

1. The fourth sign: the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14)

a. The crowd follows Jesus (John 6:1-4).

^6:1 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). ² A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near (John 6:1-4).

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

a) All four gospels record the sign of the feeding of the 5,000. In fact, apart from resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is the only miracle recorded in all of the gospels.

i) It is found in Matt 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17; and John 6:1-13.

ii) Therefore, it must have great significance.

iii) It led to great messianic fervor (John 6:14-15), but afterward Jesus lost many of His followers (John 6:66).

iv) The other miraculous feeding of 4,000 men took place after the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37).

b) "After these things"--A great deal has taken place between chapters five and six.

i) The events of chapter five take place at the feast of Tabernacles/Sukkoth (September 17-24, AD 31 or Tishrei 14-21, AM 3792).

ii) After chapter five, Jesus returned to the Galilee.

(a) The disciples picked grain on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5) and Jesus healed a man's withered hand on the Sabbath (Matt 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11) igniting more Sabbath controversy.

(b) Nevertheless, Jesus began to attract even larger crowds (Matt 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12).

(c) Then, Jesus Christ appointed the twelve apostles (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16) and preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:1-7:29; Luke 6:17-49).

(d) In Capernaum, Jesus Christ had healed a centurion's servant (Matt 8:1-13; Luke 7:1-10) and raised a widow's son from the dead in Nain (Luke 7:11-17).

(e) While John the Baptist was in prison, Jesus' preaching affirmed that He was the one that John spoke of, and that those rejecting Him must repent (Matt 11:2-30; Luke 7:18-35).

(f) Jesus Christ began to proclaim that He had authority to forgive sins and the coming of the kingdom of God (Luke 7:36-8:3).

(g) The Pharisees began to make the blasphemous accusation that Jesus cast out demons by Satan's power (Matt 9:34; 12:22-45; Mark 3:20-30).

(h) Jesus even had some strain with His family (Matt 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21).

(i) Jesus began teaching in parables (Matt 13:1-52; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-21).

(j) Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matt 8:18-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25), healed the demoniacs at Gerasa (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39), healed the woman who touched His garment and raised Jairus' daughter (Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56).

(k) Although rejected at Nazareth (Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6), Jesus sent the twelve out on a preaching mission (Matt 9:35-11:1; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6).

(l) Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist at Tiberius (Matt 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-30; Luke 9:7-10).

(m) John 6:4 tells us that the Passover was near. Therefore, it was about April 13, AD 32 or Nisan 15, A.M. 3792.

iii) It had been an eventful seven months.[2]

iv) Jesus left for the East side of the Sea of Galilee.

v) This is the second Passover mentioned in John's gospel (see John 2:13, 23), and John will mention one more Passover (John 13:1). Therefore, Jesus' ministry lasted for about three years.

vi) These events took place approximately one year before the crucifixion.[3]

2) "A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick."

a) A large crowd followed Him hoping to see a miracle.

b) However, miracles are meant to be signs and point to whom Jesus is.

3) "Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples."

a) The mountains to the East of the lake are today called the Golan Heights.[4]

b) Jesus went up a mountain with His disciples for a teaching session.

c) Jesus, like other rabbis, taught while seated.[5]

d) There was a day of teaching and healing lasting until late afternoon before this sign (Matt 14:14-15; Mark 6:34-35; Luke 9:11-12).

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

a) John notes that this was close to Passover.

b) "Passover"--April 13, AD 32 or Nisan 15, A.M. 3792.

c) Jesus did not attend this Passover in Jerusalem due to the hostile environment (John 7:1).

b. Jesus talks about feeding the crowd (John 6:5-9).

1) The first solution was to get rid of the problem.

a) There were four proposals to solve the problem of the hungry people.[6]

b) The first solution was to get rid of the problem.

c) This was proposed by the disciples, "When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, 'This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat'" (Mark 6:35-36).

d) John does not record this proposed solution.

2) The second solution was to raise enough money to buy food (John 6:5-7).

⁵ Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?" ⁶ This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little" (John 6:5-7).

a) "Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?'"

i) Jesus saw the crowd approaching, and asked Philip where they might buy bread for the masses.

ii) It has been noted that "Philip was from Bethsaida (1:44) which was the closest town, and he would know the local resources."[7]

b) "This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do."

i) John indicated that Jesus, who knew exactly what He planned on doing, was testing Philip.

ii) Our Lord's brother James explained, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone" (Jas 1:13).

iii) God's purpose in testing us is to refine our faith not tempt us to do evil.[8]

c) "Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.'"

i) Philip replied that eight months' wages would not be sufficient.

(a) The Gk. word translated "denarii" (dēnarion) was a Lat. loanword, denarius, and meant "a worker’s average daily wage."[9]

(b) Even with all twelve disciples working, it would take three weeks to earn enough.

ii) From Philip's perspective, the situation is impossible. One has commented, "It seemed they were up against an insuperable difficulty. But there are no insuperable difficulties with Christ."[10]

3) The third solution was to realize how little their resources were and do what they could (John 6:8-9).

⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, ⁹ "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?" (John 6:8-9).

a) "One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him."

i) Peter's brother Andrew was the next to respond.

ii) Characteristically, Andrew brought someone to Jesus.

b) "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"

i) Andrew had found a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish.

ii) He brought what he could find, but thought that it was too little to do any good. Nevertheless, he did what he could.

4) The fourth solution came from Jesus who worked a miracle to feed the crowd.

c. Jesus feeds the crowd (John 6:10-13).

¹⁰ Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. ¹² When they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost." ¹³ So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten (John 6:10-13).

1) "Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand."

a) Jesus had the people sit down.

b) There were five thousand men.

i) The Gk. word translated "men" means "an adult human male."[11]

ii) Matthew observed that there were women and children also (Matt 14:21).[12]

iii) Blum estimates that there were more than 10,000 people in attendance.

iv) Keener estimates 20,000, which would have matched the capacity of the amphitheater in Ephesus, and would have been four times the capacity of the amphitheater in Sepphoris in the Galilee.[13]

2) "Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted."

a) Jesus took the bread and fish, blessed them, and gave it to the seated people.

i) The blessing was bārûk 'atāh 'ădonay 'ĕlohaynû melek havôlām hamôîî' leÊem min ha'āreî ("Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth").[14]

ii) This situation was reminiscent of the prophet Elisha feeding 100 men with twenty barley loaves (2 Kgs 4:42-44).

b) In summary, "The practical lesson is clear: whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest.... instead of complaining about what we do not have, we should give thanks to God for what we do have, and He will make it go farther."[15]

3) "When they were filled, He said to His disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.'"

a) After the meal, Jesus ordered the disciples to gather up the fragments. This was common Jewish practice.[16]

b) The Jews also typically left something to feed those that served.[17]

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

a) The fragments filled twelve baskets.

i) This was ample provision for the twelve disciples who had been serving.

ii) Paul wrote that "my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19).

b) Jesus more than met their needs.[18] He is 'Ēl Šadday ("God who is enough").[19]

d. Jesus flees the crowd (John 6:14-15).

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, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone (John 6:14-15).

1) "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.'"

a) This sign convinced the crowd that Jesus was the Messiah.

i) "The Prophet who is to come into the world" refers to Moses' prophecy, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him" (Deut 18:15).

ii) Both Peter and Stephen applied this prophecy of a second Moses to Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22; 7:37).

b) This was both the peak of Jesus' popularity and His greatest temptation.

i) There was no way to the crown without the cross.

ii) This premature attempt to make Him king would have short-circuited God's plan.[20]

2) "So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone."

a) Jesus realized that the crowd wanted to force Him to become a king, and knowing that it was not His time, withdrew from the crowd.

b) Jesus was never fooled by popularity with the masses; He knew how fickle they were. In the end, a crowd proclaimed Him Messiah on Palm Sunday and shouted, "Crucify Him!" on Friday.

2. The fifth sign: Jesus walks on water (John 6:16-21).

a. Trouble at sea (John 6:16-18)

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 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing (John 6:16-18).

1) "Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 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."

a) As evening came, the disciples went down to the sea.

b) The disciples got into a boat and started across to Capernaum without Jesus.

i) Jesus had ordered them to get into the boat and leave (Matt 14:22; Mark 6:45).

(a) It has been noted that sometimes we get into a storm because we disobey the Lord.

(b) However, sometimes we get into a storm because we obey the Lord.[21]

ii) One has remarked that "the feeding of the 5,000 was the lesson, but the storm was the examination after the lesson."[23]

2) "The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing."

a) A strong wind was stirring up the lake.

i) The disciples were headed into the wind and the going was rough; they were, as Mark noted, "straining at the oars, for the wind was against them" (Mark 6:48).

ii) At six hundred feet below sea level, the Sea of Galilee is in a depression.

iii) After sunset, the cooler air from the West falls toward the lake and brings turbulence over the surface of the water.[24]

b) Therefore, the Sea of Galilee is noted for sudden severe weather.[25]

b. Jesus walks on the sea (John 6:19-21).

¹⁹ Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to 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 receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (John 6:19-21).

1) "Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened."

a) When they were about three or four miles out, Jesus came to them walking on the water.

i) Mark indicated that the boat was half way across the lake (Mark 6:47).

ii) Literally, the Gk. has "25 or 30 stadia."

iii) The stadion is equivalent to 606.75 feet.

iv) The distance to Capernaum was about five or six miles.[26]

v) Therefore, turning back was not an option.[27]

b) Of course, Jesus' appearance frightened the disciples.

i) Mark recorded that "they supposed that it was a ghost" (Mark 6:49; see also Matt 14:26).

ii) This happened during the fourth watch, 3:00 am to 6:00 am (Matt 14:25; Mark 6:48).

2) "But He said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'"

a) However, Jesus announced Himself and told them not to fear.

i) The phrase, "It is I" is literally, "I am" (see Exod 3:14).

ii) As God, Jesus Christ is Lord over the elements of nature.[28]

iii) We know from Matt 14:28-31 that Peter walked on the water to Jesus.

iv) Grammatically, "do not be afraid" is better translated, "Stop fearing" (NET) or "stop being afraid!" (NTLP).[29]

b) Jesus Christ is much more than a mere political Messiah.

3) "So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going."

a) Immediately, after Jesus got into the boat, they were at their destination.

i) This is similar to Philip's experience in Acts where "the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away" (Acts 8:39).

ii) Similar things were said of Elijah, "It will come about when I leave you that the Spirit of the LORD will carry you where I do not know" (1 Kgs 18:12; see also 2 Kgs 2:16).

b) This miracle demonstrates that Jesus is also Lord over time and space.

II. Applications

A. Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Christ is much more than a mere political Messiah.

2. Jesus Christ is more than sufficient to meet our needs.

3. Jesus Christ is Lord over nature.

4. Jesus Christ is Lord over time and space.

B. This says to us ...

1. Whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest.

2. We can get in trouble while doing God's will.

3. However, God is greater than our problems.