The Feeding of the Five Thousand. John 6, 1-14.
Jesus back in Galilee: V. 1. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. V. 2. And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased. V. 3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. V. 4. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
Compare Matthew 14, 15-21; Mark 6, 35-44; Luke 9, 10-17. After these things, without definite fixing of the time. The chances are that the journey to the Feast of Purim had taken only a few days, and that the Galilean ministry of Jesus was not influenced by the interruption.
Jesus went from Capernaum or its vicinity across the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias to the northeastern shore, not far from the city of Bethsaida Julias. The intention of the Lord had been to have a few days of rest, but this purpose was not realized. For a great multitude, numbering thousands of people, went around the northern end of the lake, full of eager desire to witness the miracles which He was performing in the case of various sick and invalid persons.
There is no word concerning any eagerness for the Word of salvation, but only of this curiosity, not unmixed with morbidness, which sought excitement and variety.
With the multitude at His heels, Jesus ascended one of the hills in the neighborhood, and there sat down with His disciples. Though the people, on the whole, were not eager for the Word of Life, Jesus lost no chance to speak to them of the one thing needful. He also healed their sick.
The evangelist notes that this incident happened shortly before the Passover of the Jews, which occurred a month after the Feast of Purim. It was, therefore, early in the spring.