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Feeding the Thousands
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DrJay

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June 11, 2024 - 3:23 pm

Are the “feeding of the multitude” episodes recorded in Matthew 14:13-21 and again in Matthew 15:2-39 two different events, or a re-telling of the same event, or just what? I know the numbers are different (5,000 vs. 4,000). The other gospels record only one such feeding.

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yayameen

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October 14, 2024 - 3:18 am

I am not attempting to give you a full answer, but some scholars think that Mark’s author created the second feeding event, as a feeding of gentiles. Mark copied the original story and changed the number of people. Matthew copied the story from Mark.

P.S. (You meant to type Matthew 15:32, not 15:2)

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Robert
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October 14, 2024 - 1:29 pm
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Colin Milton

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October 16, 2024 - 7:34 am

Yea, the feeding of the five thousand and four thousand are two distinct events.

Matthew 15 as a chapter of context, which contains the feeding of the four thousand, tells of the racial/religious tensions between the Israelites and Canaanites. The Canaanites are compared to dogs. Even the Lord, Son of David is compassionate enough to protect, feed and heal the Gentiles and not just the lost sheep of Israel.

Dogs are not yet considered to be “man’s best friend” yet during this time. Dogs were more of a nuisance and only useful for working with sheep. You have a Shepard, sheepdog, and lost sheep. Sorry.

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Colin Milton

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November 14, 2024 - 12:44 pm

2 Kings 4:42-44 (?)

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