Today we explore the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels: the feeding of the five thousand. In this great work we see Jesus fulfilling several Old Testament roles, prophecies, and expectations. Feeding the crowds, Jesus shows himself to be a new Moses, a new Elijah, and a new Elisha and, by including his disciples in the miracle, he shows himself to be a new Solomon who establishes new stewards over his kingdom tasked with feeding his household.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hahn, Scott, et al. Isaiah. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2019.
Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
Mass Readings Explained with Dr. Brant Pitre
REFERENCES
1 Kings 17:8-16 - Elijah multiplies the flour and oil for the widow of Zarephath
2 Kings 4:42-44 - "A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, 'Give to the men, that they may eat.' But his servant said, 'How am I to set this before a hundred men?' So he repeated, 'Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, "They shall eat and have some left."' So he set it before them. And they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the LORD."
Matthew 26:20 - "When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve disciples"
1 Kings 4:7 - "Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household"
Leviticus 24:8 - "Every sabbath day Aaron shall set it in order before the LORD continually on behalf of the people of Israel as a covenant for ever."
Acts 13:34 - "And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he spoke in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’"