Matthew 15:29-39, Feeding the 4,000 (Yes, Really)

Departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus skirted the top end of the Sea of Galilee and came to the east side of the Sea.  This was in the vicinity where He cast the demons into the pigs (Mt. 8:28-34).  Again, Jesus healed many people as He ministered to the multitudes (cf. Mt. 8:16-17; 9:35-36; 14:34-36). 

The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was certainly home to many Jews, but was predominantly Gentile.  It is here that Jesus performs the feeding of the 4000.  You may be surprised to learn that there was such an event.  The feeding of the “5000” is a story repeated in all four Gospels.  This story is recorded only in Matthew and Mark.  Even in Israel today there is no cathedral or shrine built in the area where it is believed this happened as there is in the location of the more prominent miracle (Tabgha, just west of Capernaum).  There is a sign at the sight (see photo) but it is not very well marked.

The two stories share a lot of similarities, as the following chart indicates.

5000 (Mt. 14:14-21)		4000 (Mt. 15:32-39)
W side of Sea of Galilee, Jewish (cf. 14:13,34)	Location	Predominantly Gentile, E of Sea of Galilee (15:29)
14:14	Jesus' Compassion	15:32
14:17	Disciples lack of faith	15:33
14:17	Small amount of food	15:34
14:19	Blessing	15:36
14:19	Disciples involved	15:36
Jewish, 12, symbolizing the tribes	Leftover baskets (see note #1)	Gentile, 7, symbolizing the fullness of the Gentiles

Some wonder the purpose of this story, feeding 4000, after the previous feeding of the 5000. Several commentators point to the emphasis on Israel in the 5000, and Gentiles in the 4000.  It is not just the

fact that one was performed in a more Jewish area and the other a Gentile area.  Even the baskets used show the difference. The "12 baskets in the 5000 were 'kophinos', a small hand-basket, peculiar to Jews; while in the feeding of the 4000, the basket was the 'spuris,' a much larger basket or hamper, used more generally by the other nations (e.g. Acts 9:25)." (Pettingill, concurred with by MacArthur, Phillips, Morgan and others.)

The way Jesus deals with the disciples in both miracles (telling them, “you feed the crowd”) indicates that both miracles are done more for the benefit of the disciples than for the multitudes.  He is teaching The Twelve that their sufficiency is in Him.  Their ministries will require them to depend on Christ, whether ministry to Israel or to the ends of the earth.   That is why The Acts of the Apostles is said by Luke to be the continuation of the things that Jesus began to do and teach (Ac. 1:1).  What an important lesson for us to learn!  Successful ministry will not depend on our slick methodology or charismatic leadership.  Successful ministry is ministry that Jesus is doing through us.