Jesus called his disciples and said,  “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with me three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, otherwise they might collapse on the way.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬

Today I read about Jesus feeding the 4,000 in Matthew 15:32–39. I became curious about how He fed the 5,000 earlier in Matthew 14:13–21. In both accounts we see similarities and differences. Here is what stood out to me.

In the account of feeding the 5,000, He performed this miracle on the Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee, near Bethsaida. In feeding the 4,000, this happened in a Gentile region on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

The miracle of feeding the 5,000 echoes the manna in the wilderness and how God provided to the twelve tribes of Israel. (Twelve baskets of leftovers).

In feeding the 4,000, Jesus multiplied seven loaves and there were seven baskets of leftovers. It’s been thought to represent God’s provision and inclusion of the Gentiles in His plan of Salvation. The number seven symbolizes completeness. 

In both cases Jesus showed compassion for His hungry followers and didn’t want to send the crowds away. There is more than enough spiritual and physical sustenance in Christ. It’s available to whoever would come and partake of the bread of life.