35 It was getting late in the day and Jesus' disciples came to him. They told him, "We’re miles from anywhere, and it’s really late. 36 You should tell the people to go and buy themselves something to eat in the villages and countryside nearby."

37 But Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat."

"What? We’d need more than six month’s pay*6:37. Literally, "200 denarii." to buy bread to feed all these people," the disciples replied.

38 "Well, how much bread do you have?" Jesus asked. "Go and see."

They went and checked, and told him, "Five loaves, and a couple of fish."

39 Jesus told everyone to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 They sat in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish. Looking up to heaven he blessed the food and broke the bread into pieces. Then he handed the bread to the disciples to give to the people, and he divided the fish up between all of them. 42 Everyone ate until they were full. 43 Then they collected up the leftovers of the bread and fish—twelve basketfuls. 44 A total of five thousand men plus their families ate the food.