Religion/4 Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John)

The Feeding of the Five Thousands as Presented by the Four Gospels

Introduction

The authors of the Gospel presented different accounts of the same setting not so much probably because of their different social background but rather of the focus perspective

As far as profession is concerned , Matthew was a fisherman , Luke a physician , Mark probably an ordinary young man and John also a fisherman prior to their joining Jesus ' mission . In their recollection of the feeding of the five thousand each of them mentioned something which others have not p

Recollection of the Feeding of the Five Thousands

The feeding of the five thousand was one of the few instances that all four authors of the Gospel have recalled in vivid recollection . They all have remembered events in unanimous passion except John who saw different things

In Matthew 's account , the passage started after news of John the Baptist had reached his attention in verse 13 . Matthew mentioned that Jesus left the place by boat . Only Matthew recalled this boat experience though John was close to mentioning the same . Nevertheless He said that Jesus merely went over the sea of Galilee (John 6 :1 Another thing that Matthew recalled in the unforgettable day of feeding five thousand men by mere two fish and five loaves of bread in verse 14 which says that Jesus healed their sick

It is quite easy to assume that Jesus has become very popular not just because of his powerful teaching and preaching . People were obviously hopeless against economic and political difficulties as well as against many incurable diseases and also the influence of evil spirit or what Bible students call it devil inflected disease . All through the Gospel Jesus performs casting out of evil spirit disguise in such disease as epileptic , handicapped , or being disabled . What people saw in Jesus is a hope against such incurable disease at that time . Here , we can identify the motives of some who follow Him . They saw in Jesus the opportunity towards physical well-being . On the other hand , Jesus saw these people like sheep not having a shepherd

In view of the Gospel according to Mark , this particular story seemed to be a bit detailed . Mark , Luke and John started this particular story started with disciples beside Jesus before He decided to go to a deserted place ' which for Matthew , Jesus had to go a deserted place by Himself ' having His disciples behind . Mark presented the story in a way that Jesus was using a leadership style in which , he let His disciple perform directly what He commanded which was not mentioned in Matthew and John . In the same way , Mark how compassionate Jesus was on these people just like what Matthew and Luke had observed . In this account also that Jesus ' disciples commanded Jesus to take people away that showed their lack of faith . In this way , Jesus returned a question to them saying , You gave them something to eat ' Unlike in other Gospels , in which Jesus simply commanded His disciples to find any available food at that time . Aside from that , what we can observe about this passage is that , Jesus exercised His authority over His disciples by means of directly commanding them . We can also see Jesus as a very organized leader He told His disciples to group those people in ranks in hundreds , in fifties as they sit down on the grass

It is Luke who could recall the place Bethsaida where the feeding of the five thousand took place . Luke could also remember that Jesus out of His compassion upon seeing these people taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed their sickness which in other Gospel failed to mention except Mark . Although Matthew told that Jesus healed their diseases , he did not mention that Jesus also taught them about God . Just like how Mark observed the event , Luke recalled how Jesus practiced His authority by commanding His disciples what to do . Luke saw this Jesus as very compassionate being able to give whatever He could for those who needed Him

For John , the most beloved among the disciples , this event is a way of testing His disciples he made to mention Jesus ' deity as from God -the promised Prophet . John began the story as a private time between Jesus and His disciples , which was disturbed by people who came to see Jesus John said the reason why people wanted to see Jesus , that is according to Him , they saw His great power and their diseases were healed . Aside from that , John made a remark that Jesus tested their faith by asking His disciple where shall we buy bread that these may eat ' He was able also to put reason for every scenario of the event which was not mentioned in other Gospel . He said that Jesus told His disciples to gather up the pieces of loaves and fish that were not eaten so nothing is lost [Jesus statement] ' Finally , it is only John who could recall and observe some men who believed in Jesus because of this miracle Jesus had opened the eyes of these men about the promised Messiah which John I believe also did at that time

Conclusion

These men who witnessed Jesus , lived with Jesus , and taught and trained by Jesus were able to recall completely important events in the life of Jesus who gave a significant influence in the faith of the modern Christian . Without their knowledge , God has used them to spread the Gospel of God 's salvation and through them , Jesus became known over all the earth . That was accomplished because they were able to recall and write on pieces of their experience with their Lord

Despite one experience with their Lord , they presented some events having both the similarities and differences at least having the latter a minor one . As we can observe , there is unity and emphasis in their presentation , however , there are minor details that sometimes missed by other author which other author could remember

These differences can be attributed to their personal differences in which they read one event differently depending on their focus or point of interest . Mark and Luke remembered Jesus as their Lord or Master whom they regard as the one who have full authority over them . John could see motives behind every action may be because his relationship with Jesus is too personal . Matthew could see Jesus as King who could see the sad plight of people . Maybe he could see Jesus who would save them from imperialism

Anyway , the which does not affect the meaning and intention of Jesus for feeding these men

Work Cited

Matthew 14 :13-33

Mark 6 :30-52

Luke John 9 :10-17

John 6 :1-21 ...