Lesson 2 of 4
Reading parallel accounts
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Study objective: Compare one event told in all four Gospels.
Reading: Mark 6:30–44John 6:1–15
Mark 6:30–44 WEB
30The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 31He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. 36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” 37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” 38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. 40They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 41He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were filled. 43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
John 6:1–15 WEB
1After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. 3Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down, likewise also of the fish as much as they desired. 12When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. 14When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” 15Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Background and context
The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle, apart from the resurrection, in all four Gospels. Comparing accounts shows what each writer includes and emphasises. On BibleKenya you can open the story page and switch between the accounts.
Observe
- Mark notes Jesus’ compassion because the crowd was like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).
- John names Philip and Andrew and mentions a boy’s barley loaves (John 6:5-9).
- Both mention twelve baskets left over.
- Only John says the crowd wanted to make Jesus king (John 6:15).
Words, people and events to notice
- Parallel
- The same event or saying recorded in more than one Gospel.
Understand
- List details unique to Mark and unique to John.
- What does each writer seem to emphasise?
- How does John 6:15 connect with what follows in John 6?
Connect
- Matthew 14:13–21
Matthew’s account.
- Luke 9:10–17
Luke’s account.
Reflect
- What did comparing the accounts show you that one alone did not?
- How could you use parallels in your own study?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- Parallel accounts complement each other.
- Differences show each writer’s emphasis.
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