9. “Here is a boy with five loaves of barley bread and two little fish. But that is not enough for so many people.”
10. Jesus said, “Tell everyone to sit down.” This was a place with a lot of grass, and about 5000 men sat down there.
11. Jesus took the loaves of bread and gave thanks for them. Then he gave them to the people who were waiting to eat. He did the same with the fish. He gave them as much as they wanted.
12. They all had plenty to eat. When they finished, Jesus said to his followers, “Gather the pieces of fish and bread that were not eaten. Don’t waste anything.”
13. So they gathered up the pieces that were left. The people had started eating with only five loaves of barley bread. But the followers filled twelve large baskets with the pieces of food that were left.
14. The people saw this miraculous sign that Jesus did and said, “He must be the Prophet who is coming into the world.”
15. Jesus knew that the people planned to come get him and make him their king. So he left and went into the hills alone.
16. That evening Jesus’ followers went down to the lake.
17. It was dark now, and Jesus had not yet come back to them. They got into a boat and started going across the lake to Capernaum.
18. The wind was blowing very hard. The waves on the lake were becoming bigger.
19. They rowed the boat about three or four miles. Then they saw Jesus. He was walking on the water, coming to the boat. They were afraid.
20. But he said to them, “Don’t be afraid. It’s me.”
21. When he said this, they were glad to take him into the boat. And then the boat reached the shore at the place they wanted to go.
22. The next day came. Some people had stayed on the other side of the lake. They knew that Jesus did not go with his followers in the boat. They knew that the followers had left in the boat alone. And they knew it was the only boat that was there.
23. But then some boats from Tiberias came and landed near the place where the people had eaten the day before. This was where they had eaten the bread after the Lord gave thanks.
24. The people saw that Jesus and his followers were not there now. So they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to find Jesus.
25. The people found Jesus on the other side of the lake. They asked him, “Teacher, when did you come here?”
26. He answered, “Why are you looking for me? Is it because you saw miraculous signs? The truth is, you are looking for me because you ate the bread and were satisfied.
27. But earthly food spoils and ruins. So don’t work to get that kind of food. But work to get the food that stays good and gives you eternal life. The Son of Man will give you that food. He is the only one qualified by God the Father to give it to you.”