Section 14:13–21
Jesus fed over five thousand people
In this section, Jesus showed his love for people by healing the sick and providing food for everyone. He provided food for them by miraculously multiplying a few pieces of bread and a few fish. He also tested the disciples to see how they would respond to the need of the people.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Jesus miraculously gives food to five thousand men
-or-
Five Thousand Fed (New American Standard Bible)
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:10–17, and John 6:1–14.
Paragraph 14:13–14
14:13a
When Jesus heard about John: This clause refers to Jesus hearing the news from John’s disciples that he had been killed.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
When Jesus heard what had happened (New International Version)
-or-
When Jesus heard the news about John (Good News Translation)
14:13b
He withdrew by boat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrew in this context means “move away,” or “take refuge.” Jesus first got into a boat, then he left the place where he had been. He left to get away from the crowds.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
he left in a boat (New Century Version)
-or-
he got into a boat and left that area
privately: In this context, the word privately implies that only Jesus’ twelve disciples went with him. Jesus would have needed the disciples to sail the boat. No one else was with them.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
with only his disciples
-or-
without the crowds
to a solitary place: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a solitary place refers to an area where there were no other people.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
isolated place
-or-
lonely place (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
desolate place (English Standard Version)
In some languages, it will be possible to translate this phrase and the next phrase together as:
to a place where he could be alone (God’s Word)
14:13c
But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between Jesus’ desire to be alone, and the crowd’s desire to be with him. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the word But.
Here is another way to indicate this contrast:
However
the crowds found out about it: This clause refers to the people of the towns hearing that Jesus had left their area.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
when the crowd heard that he had left
-or-
when the crowd heard where he was going
the crowds: The plural word crowds refers to different groups of people. One group came from one town, and another group came from a different town.
Here is another way to translate this word:
people
followed Him on foot from the towns: The phrase on foot means that they walked rather than going in a boat or by other means.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
they left their towns and followed him on land
-or-
they left their villages and walked around the lake to follow him
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