For a meal with the simplest of ingredients, the story of the feeding of the five thousand has been sliced and diced, layered and ladled into a soufflé of complexity. It is true that in this story there are ties to Israel’s past, links to the future kingdom, messianic symbolism, and Eucharistic overtones, it is also true that this story is about the common humanity of sitting and sharing a meal in the companionship of others.

This great miracle of feeding five thousand is the only miracle besides Jesus’ resurrection that is recorded in all four gospels (Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-15). Many specific details are found in all four versions.

Matthew’s recording of this event is somewhat pared down, however, omitting some of the particulars such as who provided the bread and fish a…