Luke’s account of the feeding of the 5,000 is based on the Marcan account (Mark 6:30–44) and is the only miracle found in all four Gospels (Matt. 14:13–21; John 6:1–15). Luke omits, however, Mark’s feeding of the 4,000 (Mark 8:1–10 and see Matt. 15:32–39). Such an omission is due to (1) Luke’s avoidance of repetition and to (2) the fact that the evangelist has omitted a large section of Mark (6:45–8:26, sometimes called Luke’s “Big Omission”) in which the second feeding story occurs (see note below).

Verse 10 takes up where 9:1–6 left off. In 9:1–6 the Twelve had been sent to heal and to preach. The news of their activities spread throughout Galilee so that its ruler, Herod, began to wonder who this person Jesus was. With the return of the apostles and the withdrawal to Bethsaida the stag…