Mark 6:30-52

³⁰The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.

³¹He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

³²They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

³³They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.

³⁴Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

³⁵When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.

³⁶Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.”

³⁷But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

³⁸He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

³⁹He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.

⁴⁰They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.

⁴¹He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.

⁴²They all ate and were filled.

⁴³They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.

⁴⁴Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

⁴⁵Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.

⁴⁶After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.

⁴⁷When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.

⁴⁸Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them,

⁴⁹but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;

⁵⁰for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”

⁵¹He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;

⁵²for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.