As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. (Matthew 14:15-17 NIV)
This is when Jesus performed the famous miracle of feeding the 5000. He took the five loaves and two fish and miraculously kept multiplying them until everyone was fed, leaving 12 baskets of leftovers! What's astonishing is that there were actually more than 5000 people.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:21 NIV)
We can assume that were an equal amount of women there, and many children. So an estimate of 12,000 people being miraculously fed (men, women, and children) wouldn't be unreasonable.
What about the speeding boat?
That scene develops right after feeding the multitudes. And what a scene! It involves 4 incredible miracles. Jesus makes the disciples get in a boat and head toward the other side of the lake while He withdraws to the mountain alone to pray. The disciples, however, got stuck in the midst of the lake in the middle of the night, battered by wind and waves. Then Jesus comes walking on water! That's the first of the miracles, and no doubt the most dramatic.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:26-27 NIV)
What's crazy to me is that it seems Jesus was initially just making a shortcut to get to the other side of the lake and not necessarily planning to meet up with the disciples. Why walk around the lake, when you can just walk on top of the lake? And in Mark's version Jesus intended to pass by them. I guess Jesus was in a hurry to reach the other side!
Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. (Mark 6:48 NASV)
The second miracle occurs when Peter actually walks on water as well! Even if it's for just a brief time.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31 NIV)
The third miracle occurs when Jesus calms the sea.
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33 NIV)
Next is a very interesting part of the story is overlooked by many. In John's version, a fourth miracle occurs besides Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, and Jesus calming the sea. That is, the boat immediately reaching the other side of the lake in a split second!
Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6:21)
Some scholars say this is not a miracle but just a description of them making a bee line to the other side of the lake. Other scholars say this is absolutely a miracle. They "immediately" reach the shore where they were heading. And why not? Nothing is impossible for Jesus, especially in this dramatic scene loaded with supernatural events. He was intent on getting across the lake!
Thus the miracle of the speeding boat! Or the time warp boat. Or the Mach 3 (2310 mph) boat.
One thing is for sure. Jesus was doing incredible things at that time, displaying powers only God can do, and it's still early on in His ministry. No wonder the disciples said, "Truly you are the Son of God." That's our Lord! Wow!
