The feeding of the Five Thousand With Six Loaves and Seven Clusters Of Grapes.
1. AND the Feast (of the Passover) drew nigh, and the Apostles and their fellows gathered themselves together unto Iesus and told him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And he said unto them,
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while:
for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
2. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
3. And Iesus, when he came forth, saw much people and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were [as] sheep having not a shepherd.
4. And the day was far spent, and his disciples came unto him and said,
This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed. Send them away, that they may go into the country round about into the villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.
5. He answered and said unto them,
Give ye them to eat.
And they say unto him,
Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat ?
6. He saith unto them,
How many loaves have ye? Go and see.
And when they knew, they said,
Six loaves and seven clusters of grapes.
And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies of fifty upon the grass. And they sat down in ranks by hundreds and by fifties.
7. And when he had taken the six loaves and the seven clusters of grapes, he looked up to Heaven, and blessed and brake the loaves, and the grapes also and gave them to his disciples to set before them and they divided them among them all.
8. And they did all eat and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that were left. And they that did eat (of the loaves and of the fruit) were about five thousand men, women and children, and he taught them many things.
9. And when the people had seen and heard, they were filled with gladness and said,
Truly this is that Prophet that should come into the world.
And when he perceived that they would take him by force to make him a king, he straightway constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before him unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
10. And when he had sent them away he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, he was there alone, but the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.
11. The third watch (of the night) Iesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying,
It is a spirit;
and they cried out for fear. But straightway Iesus spake unto them, saying.
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
12. And Peter answered him and said,
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said,
Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Iesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me.
13. And immediately Iesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? For did I not call thee ?
14. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased, and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. For they considered not the miracle (of the loaves and the fruit) for their heart was hardened.
15. And when they were come into the ship there was a great calm. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying,
Of a truth thou art a Son (of God).
Healing Of The Sick
16. And when they had passed over, they came unto the land of Gennesaret and drew to the shore And when they were come out of the ship straightway they knew him. And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds, those that were sick, where they heard he was.
17. And withersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment, and as many as touched him were made whole.
18. After these things Iesus came with his disciples into Judea, and there he tarried and baptized many who came unto him and received his doctrine.
LECTION 29. -The feeding of five thousand with five loaves and seven clusters of grapes has a deep mystical significance, which space forbids to enter on here, but the wise will understand. The two numbers, e.g, symbolize Matter and Spirit, Bread and Wine, Substance and Life.