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John 6:1-21

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Primary comparative texts about Prayer and Piety at Dr Mahlon H Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus (Rutgers University). See esp "Hanina Stills A Storm."
  • "Bread and Fish," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • XVIII.21-25, 30-34, 36, 41-42, 45-49; XVIX.2, 11; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • II.XXII.3, II.XXIV.4, III.XI.5, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter XVIII, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • XI.2, XI.19, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John
    • Tractate XXIV (6:1-14)
      • "To run over it briefly: by the five loaves are understood the five books of Moses; and rightly are they not wheaten but barley loaves, because they belong to the Old Testament. And you know that barley is so formed that we get at its pith with difficulty; for the pith is covered in a coating of husk, and the husk itself tenacious and closely adhering, so as to be stripped off with labor. Such is the letter of the Old Testament, invested in a covering of carnal sacraments: but yet, if we get at its pith, it feeds and satisfies us."
    • Tractate XXV (6:15-44)
      • "But why did He ascend after He knew that they wished to seize Him and make Him a king? How then; was He not a king, that He was afraid to be made a king? He was certainly not such a king as would be made by men, but such as would bestow a kingdom on men."
  • "The Feeding of the 5,000," John 6:5-14, Martin Luther, c. 1525.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "They that follow Christ sometimes hunger, but they are never without help."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Observe the effect this miracle had upon the people. Even the common Jews expected the Messiah to come into the world, and to be a great Prophet. The Pharisees despised them as not knowing the law; but they knew most of Him who is the end of the law. Yet men may acknowledge Christ as that Prophet, and still turn a deaf ear to him."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Jesus saith to Philip - Perhaps he had the care of providing victuals for the family of the apostles."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "passover . . . was nigh--but for the reason mentioned (Joh 7:1), Jesus kept away from it, remaining in Galilee."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Jesus Feeds a Large Crowd, Then Walks on Water, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • Commentary, John 6:1-21, Brian Peterson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "The feeding of the multitude is the only miracle story told in all four Gospels."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Pentecost 8" William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "For many who are sensitive to world poverty and disaster the images of multiplying food or walking on water are painfully unreal, almost a cruel fantasy."
  • "Bones: A Reflection on John 6:1-21," poetry by William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Australia.
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen.
    • "What type of "savior" do we try to make Jesus? Is it Jesus' "job" to completely take care of us -- like a king for his subjects? Is it Jesus' "job" to leave us alone so that we can do whatever we want?"
  • "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 6:1-21, David Ewart, 2009.
    • "It is a complete mis-reading of John to get stuck on the "miraculous," non-scientific nature of the events he is about to describe. To do so would be like spending an evening in a fabulous restaurant reading the menu and never enjoying the delicious food. These are signs. They point to a feast. Eat; don't just read."
  • "Want More!" Marcus Felde, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
    • "And what is the Life we now live who have eaten of the Bread of Life?"
  • "Not Just Bread," Rev. Todd Weir, bloomingcactus.
    • "It?s easy to fall into trap of those who are trying to make Jesus the earthly King."
  • "Five Loaves and Two Fish, Walking on Water," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • 10th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:1-71 -- The Bread Which Gives Life to the World, Paul S. Berge, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1985.
  • Join the Feast, John 6:1-21, Luke Schlimme, Union PSCE, 2009.
    • "In this text we see an interplay taking place between Jesus? grace and his glory."
  • "More than Enough," Charles Hoffman, The Christian Century, 2006.
    • "John 6 invites us to live into a grace-filled inheritance, a timely calling because most of us tend to live on the edges of what God has to offer."
  • "Chasing Jesus," William H. Lamar, IV, "Chasing Jesus," The Christian Century, 2003.
    • "Love that feeds hungry crowds cannot be explained. Love that turns no one away cannot be explained. Love that causes one to sacrifice oneself for the sake of another cannot be explained."
  • "Does Your Jesus Still Walk on Water?" Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "Now, what about me? Am I willing to even bend my daily ritual to encompass the outcast or am I so steeped in ?my ways? that compassion doesn?t fit in? The heart of the reading is this: Compassion is never inconvenient to God and results in the miraculous; incomparable joy."
  • "Prayer Beyond Needs," Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
    • "In today's Gospel story we see Jesus feeling frustrated because the people are seeking their basic needs and are failing to recognize his call for a change of attitudes and a deepening of values."
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 17B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "The Gift of God," Ordinary 17B, Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "What do you most appreciate in your life? How hard did you work for those items or qualities? Do you deserve those items or qualities?"
  • "Bread and Miracles," H. Stephen Shoemaker, The Christian Century, 2000. At Religion Online.
    • "There are different kinds of hunger and different kinds of bread. That is why, when the crowds come after him -- their stomachs filled, awed by the miracle -- and want to make him king, Jesus flees and goes off to be by himself."
  • "Israel's Hour of Decision (John 6)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Jesus had sought retreat from the crowds, due to their heightened messianic expectations, but instead they gathered about Him, and now He performed this miracle which further added fuel to the flames of their hopes for Messiah. It was difficult enough to deal with the crowd alone. His disciples (with their own messianic hopes running high, perhaps higher than the crowd?s) would have only made matters worse."
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Note that the fish mentioned previously (in 6:9) are not emphasized here. This is easy to understand, however, because the bread is of primary importance for the Evangelist in view of Jesus' upcoming discourse on the Bread of Life."
  • "The Messiah: Mightier Than Moses (John 6:1-21)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The main thrust of this chapter is our Lord?s ?Bread of Life? discourse, which is occasioned by the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. John records this miracle because it is the setting for what takes place in the remainder of the chapter, much like the healing of the paralytic sets the scene for the rest of chapter 5."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Meals, Food and Tablefellowship." Jerome H. Neyrey, in The Social Sciences and New Testament Interpretation, 159-82. R. L. Rohrbaugh, ed. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1996.
    • "How can readers understand the particular ceremony of meals and table fellowship? Why are meals so important as symbols of broader social relationships? How can we peer below the surface and grasp the social dynamics encoded in meals and commensality, what anthropologists call "the language of meals"?"
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Bailey, Raymond, "John 6," Review and Expositor, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berge, Paul S., "The Bread Which Gives Life to the World," Word & World, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Burghardt, Walter J., S.J., and Katharyn L. Waldron, "Jesus Feeding the Hungry: Miracle or Mandate?" The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also issue focus "Hunger," Living Pulpit 16.1 (2007).)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Crossan, John Dominic, "It Is Written: A Structuralist Analysis of John 6," Semeia, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fredrickson, David E., "Eucharistic Symbolism in the Gospel of John," Word & World, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Harm, Rudolph H., "4th Sunday in Lent," Concordia Journal, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hoffman, Charles, "More than Enough," The Christian Century, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kilmartin, S.J., "Liturgical Influence on John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1960.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kim, Stephen S., "The Christological and Eschatological Significance of Jesus' Passover Signs in John 6," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Koester, Craig R., "John Six and the Lord's Supper," Lutheran Quarterly, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lamar, William H., IV, "Chasing Jesus," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lilly, Joseph L., "The Eucharistic Discourse of John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1950.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Manus, Chris U., "John 6:1-15 and its Synoptic Parallels: An African Approach toward the Solution of a Johannine Critical Problem," Journal of the Interdenominational Theolocial Center, 1991-1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Naranjo-Huebl, Linda, "'Take, Eat': Food Imagery, the Nurturing Ethic, and Christian Identity in The Wide, Wide World, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," Christianity and Literature, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • O'Day, Gail R., "Between Text and Sermon: John 6:1-15," Interpretation, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Phillips, Gary A., "'This Is A Hard Saying. Who Can Be Listener To It?': Creating a Reader in John 6," Semeia, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ross, J.M., "Further Unnoticed Points in the Text of the New Testament," Novum Testamentum, 2003. (Section on John 6:11 begins on page 215.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ruland, S.J., Vernon, "Sign and Sacrament: John's Bread of Life Discourse," Interpretation, 1964.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rusch, Frederick A., "The Signs and the Discourse - The Rich Theology of John 6," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1978.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Shoemaker, H. Stephen, "Bread and Miracles," The Christian Century, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Temple, Patrick J., "The Eucharist in St John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1947.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Throckmorton, Burton Hamilton, "Language and the Bible," Religious Education, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Toppin, Shirlyn, "'Soul Food' Theology: Pastoral Care and Practice through the Sharing of Meals: A Womanist Reflection," Black Theology, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Voelz, James W., "The Discourse on the Bread of Life in John 6: Is It Eucharistic?" Concordia Journal, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Witkamp, L.Th., "Some Specific Johannine Features in John 6:1-21," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Yeago, David S., "The Bread of Life: Patristic Christology and Evangelical Soteriology in Martin Luther's Sermons on John 6," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Anderson, Paul N., The Christology of the Fourth Gospel: ITs Unity and Disunity in the Light of John 6. Tubingen: Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 1966.
    • Review by Andreas J. Kostenberger, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1999.
    • Review by Sidney G Sowers, Anglican Theological Review, 1998.
  • Webster, Jane S., Ingesting Jesus: Eating and Drinking in the Gospel of John. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003. Reviews by Francis J. Moloney, Peter-Ben Smit and Robert Baker in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
• Sermons:
  • "More Unexpected Jesus," the Rev. Sharon Hiers, Day 1, 2009.
  • "Plenty of Grass," Pentecost 8, 30 July 2006, David Zersen, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "More than Enough," the Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Day 1, 2006.
  • "Five Loaves and Two Fish to Feed 5,000," "Walking on Water," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Getting the Sand out of the Gears," the Rev. Dr. William L. Self, Day 1, 2006.
  • "Living Loaves," the Rev. Debra Metzgar Shew, Day 1, 2003.
  • "Enough Is Enough," John Jewell, 2000.
  • "A Picnic on the Mountainside," the Rev. Grace Imathiu, Day 1, 2000.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Ordinary 17, 2009
    • Ordinary 17, 2006
    • Ordinary 17, 2000
• With Children:
  • "There's No Fear in Jesus," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Jesus Gives Lunch to Thousands of People," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Feeding the 5000," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • John 5 & 6 Word Search, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
  • "Sharing What We Have," Mike Perks, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fish," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel.
  • "Feeding the Crowd," Penny Hewlett, Drama Southwest.
  • "When a Little Is a Lot," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
  • "Bertie from Bethsaida," Pete Smithies & Andy Lund, dramatix.
  • "How to Feed a Party of 5000," Susan Cowsar, dramatix.
  • "Fish and Loaves," Michelle Pitman, dramatix.
  • "The Boy and His Lunch," monologue, Ross Olson.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, John 6:13, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: John 6:1-15, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • John 6:1-15, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • John 6:1-15, John 6:1-21, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Clip Art: Jesus Walking on Water, Feeding the 5000, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • Commercial Site: "Bread of Life,", Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 6:20. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • "When the Hungry Peoples' Chorus," original hymn by Stephen Hassmer, The United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Feeding the Multitudes
  • Eating/Meals/Eucharist
  • Fish/Fishing
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Eucharist/Feeding
• The Text This Week's Study Pages for Parallel Texts:
  • Matthew 14:13-21
  • Mark 6:32-52
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

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• Confession of Peter - Jan 18
• Epiphany 3 - Jan 22
• Conversion of Paul - Jan 25
• Epiphany 4 - Jan 29
• Presentation - Feb 2
• Epiphany 5 - Feb 5
• Epiphany 6 - Feb 12
• Transfiguration - Last Epiphany - Feb 19
• Epiphany 7 - Feb 19
• Ash Wednesday - Feb 22
• St Mathias - Feb 24
• Lent 1 - Feb 26
• Lent 2 - Mar 4
• Lent 3 - Mar 11
• Lent 4 - Mar 18
• St. Joseph - Mar 19
• Lent 5 - Mar 25
• Annunciation - Mar 25
• Palm Sunday - April 1
• Passion Sunday - April 1
• Holy Monday - April 2
• Holy Tuesday - April 3
• Holy Wednesday - April 4
• Holy Maundy Thursday - April 5
• Good Friday - April 6
• Holy Saturday - April 7
• Easter Vigil - April 7-8
• Easter Day - April 8
• Easter Evening - April 8

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