The Darkness of Death

Jesus Feeds More Than Five Thousand

¹⁰ The apostles returned and told Jesus what they had done. He took them and withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. ¹¹ But when the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He also healed those who needed healing. ¹² As the day began to draw to a close, the Twelve came and said to him, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms to find lodging and food, because we are in a deserted place here.”

¹³ But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

“We have no more than five loaves and two fish,” they replied, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” ¹⁴ (There were about five thousand men.)

He said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ They did so and got them all to sit down. ¹⁶ Then Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke them. Then he kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve basketfuls of the broken pieces that were left over.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you everything about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very reason, that you may know how we are,^[a] and that he may comfort your hearts. ⁹ I am sending him along with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is going on here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are circumcised,^[b] and who have been a source of comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras greets you. He is one of you and is a servant of Christ.^[c] He is always struggling in prayer for you, praying that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ Indeed, I can testify about him that he has worked very hard in your place, in the place of those in Laodicea, and in the place of those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved doctor, greets you, as does Demas.

¹⁵ Greet the brothers in Laodicea. Greet Nympha and the church at her^[d] house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans. And make sure that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.^[e]