The feeding of the 5,000 is a famous miracle of Jesus, but the significance of its placement in Mark 6 is often overlooked. The preceding story is the beheading of John the Baptist. Herod threw a banquet for his nobles and military men, and it was there that John’s head was served up on a platter (6:21-28). Herod kills God’s people and offers their flesh as symbolic food to his guests.
The very next story in Mark 6 is the feeding of the 5,000. Now we see Jesus feeding people. Not with a chopped off head, but with real food – fish and bread. There are two meals in Mark 6. One hosted by Herod, the evil king. The other by Christ, the good shepherd. The text presents us with a competition: Whose party is better? Whose table do you want to eat at? Jesus is placed in contrast to Herod and shown to be a true king. He’s even shown to have his own nobles and military men – the 12 disciples – and they play a large role in this story.
Jesus’ ministry has become so popular that neither he nor the disciples have time to rest or eat (6:31). People from all the towns are rushing to be close to them (6:33). It’s not just Jesus who’s getting the attention, but Jesus and his disciples. They, too, are experiencing fame from their teachings and miracles (6:7, 12-13, 30). (more…)
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