3. The feeding of the five thousand (6:30-44)

The provision of bread in this “desert” (Remote place, NIV) recalls God’s provision of manna in the Exodus. In the Prophets, the “shepherd” could be God’s agent of salvation. Jesus is thus portrayed as the Shepherd who compassionately provides for the needs of his people (see Ps 23:1; Eze 34:23). The objections of the disciples illustrate their failure to see Jesus in this role.