The Gospel According To JohnSample

Unnamed Feast and Second Passover: John 5:1-6:71

The third portion of Jesus’ public ministry is associated with an unnamed feast, and is found in John 5:1-47.

In verses 1-15, Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. But since it was the Sabbath day, Jesus was accosted by the Jews for violating the law against working on the Sabbath. John 5:16-47 records Jesus’ response, where he claimed to be the giver of eternal life to all who believe in him.

The fourth section detailing Jesus’ public ministry tells us of his observance of a second feast of Passover in John 6:1-71.

The Passover was the feast where the Jews celebrated Israel’s exodus from Egypt. So it’s not surprising that this section contains many references to the Exodus. In 6:1-15, Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This act recalled God’s provision of manna to the nation of Israel after they had been released from slavery in Egypt. 

In John 6:16-24, Jesus walked on water, showing even greater command over the water than Moses had when he parted the Red Sea. Then, in 6:25-71, after crossing the sea, Jesus presented himself as “true bread from heaven,” which far surpasses the manna that God provided in the days of the Exodus. As the true bread, Jesus fulfilled the Passover Feast as the provider of true life for all believers.