The Fourth and Fifth Signs - Week 7

John 6:1-21


Note: The study related to these questions may be found at Catholic Exchange. Please go to their site for the complete material concerning this study. Unless otherwise noted, on scriptural references are from the Revised Standard Version (RSV). Below are my thoughts on the questions presented for the given study (Please see disclaimer at bottom).

Read John 6:1-21

1. Why did the crowd follow Jesus? Why does John mention that it is near the time of Passover?
(a) Because of the signs He had performed. (b) John wants us to associate these events with the Feast of the Passover.

2. Why does Jesus ask Philip how they should feed the crowd in verse 5?
(a) To test him.

3. Why did Jesus use the boy's loaves and fishes? Why didn't He just have food drop down from heaven?
(a) To illustrate the value of sacrifice. (b) Jesus wanted to reinforce to the Jews that it was He who performed this miracle as God the Son.

4. What can we learn from the young boy?
(a) To trust in Jesus to provide.

5. Read paragraph 1335 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In what way is the miracle of the loaves and fishes related to the Eucharist?
(a) From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist. The sign of water turned into wine at Cana already announces the Hour of Jesus' glorification. It makes manifest the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the Father's kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ. (CCC, 1335)
This prefigures the "superabundance" of the Eucharist.

6. Read "The New Moses" in the Points to Ponder section. List the parallels between Jesus and Moses in today's lesson.
(a) We may draw the following parallels between Jesus and Moses from today's reading:
Jesus' fourth sign took place during the Passover, a feast central to the five books of Moses (Pentateuch).
The five barley loaves are representative of the Pentateuch.
The twelve baskets signify the twelve tribes of Israel.
The connection between bread and Word of God (Deut 8:3).
This miracle recalls the miracle of the manna from Heaven.
Jesus shows that he has power over water just as Moses.
Jesus changes water into wine, walks on water, and talks of providing water of life to the Samaritan woman.
Moses changes water into blood, splits the Red Sea, and provides water for life in the desert from a rock.


7. The Jews stated, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." What Prophet are they speaking of? (Read Deut. 18:15-18.)
(a) From the Book of Deuteronomy:
15: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- him you shall heed -- 16: just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, `Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' 17: And the LORD said to me, `They have rightly said all that they have spoken. 18: I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him." (Deut 18:15-18)
The Prophet mentioned by Moses in the preceding passage.

8. Read Isaiah 25:5-9. How does the feeding of the 5,000 show that Jesus is the Messiah?
(a) From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:
6: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined. 7: And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8: He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. 9: It will be said on that day, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Is 25:6-9)
Because it fulfills one of the prophecies of Isaiah.

9. Why did the people want to make Jesus king? Why did Jesus withdraw from them?
(a) Because of the signs He had performed. (b) Jesus withdrew to go to the mountain by Himself.

10. Read the other gospel accounts of this story in Matt. 14:22 and Mark 6:45. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to go on ahead in the boat to the other side of the sea?
(a) From the Gospel of Matthew:
Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. (Matt 14:22)
From the Gospel of Mark:
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Beth-sa'ida, while he dismissed the crowd. (Mark 6:45)
So He could go and pray alone.

11. Read Mark 6:49. According to Mark's gospel account, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were afraid? Why? After Jesus identified Himself they were astounded. Why? Read Mt. 14:22-34. Matthew's gospel has an interesting addition to this story that is not mentioned in the others. What is it?
(a) From the Gospel of Mark:
but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; (Mark 6:49)
From the Gospel of Matthew:
22: Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24: but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25: And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27: But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28: And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29: He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30: but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. (Matt 14:22-34)
They thought they had seen a ghost. (b) Because they did not understand about the loaves. (c) The addition of Peter walking out onto the water to meet Jesus.

Disclaimer: I do not wish to present myself as an expert in either theology, history, or scriptural interpretation. I am merely someone who is attempting to answer the call of Christ. The ultimate authority and interpreter of scripture is our Holy Catholic Church. If at any point I deviate from the teachings of the Church, please correct me, alfredo@nevarez.net, as this is my shortcoming and in no way meant to be an expression of my views superceding those of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

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 Alfredo Nevarez
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