John 6:1-3,5-6,11 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
After Jesus’ second visit to Jerusalem to attend the second feast of the Jews, He went back to Galilee and passed over the Sea of Galilee. Tiberias is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee from which the sea got its name. Great multitudes followed Him because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.
Jesus went up the mountains where He sat with His disciples and then saw a great company come unto Him: He then asked where they shall buy bread so the multitudes can eat; He already knew what He was going to do.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, solved the problem for a very few, but Jesus solved it for the very many (John 6:9-13). He found a baker boy with his basket of barley loaves. Such boys are seen among crowds even today in the East.
On all such occasions, Jesus gave thanks to God for blessings already provided, putting emphasis on thankfulness rather than asking for food to be blessed. Everyone ate as much as they could eat, not only “take a little,” as expressed by Philip in John 6:7.
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