6:11-13
Jesus took the food and gave thanks to God for the food. He then distributed the food among the people. We know from the synoptics that it was the disciples who actually carried out the distribution (Lk 9:16). This is just a useful warning of an overly literal interpretation of the Bible. The people had more than their fill. There are some who try to demythologise the incident, i.e. make out that no actual miracle occurred, but the boy’s generosity encouraged others to be equally generous. Such ideas are nonsense. All the gospels are quite clear that this was a miracle, in particular the rest of John 6 makes little sense if no miracle occurred.
6:14,15
“When the people saw the sign ...” The people clearly thought a miracle had occurred. In Deut 18:15-19 (one of the most important passages in the Old Testament) Moses tells of one who would come after him. The people are now convinced that Jesus is the Prophet. Jesus perceived that the people were about to try and make Him king. This may have been a supernatural awareness, or just a sensible reading of the situation. Jesus would not allow Himself to become the puppet of the people. He would do the will of the Father, not the will of the people. So He withdrew to the mountain, to a solitary place.
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