39. Then Jesus said to the followers, “Tell all the people to sit in groups on the green grass.”
40. So all the people sat in groups. They sat in groups of 50 or groups of 100.
41. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up to heaven and thanked God for the bread. He divided the bread and gave it to his followers for them to give to the people. Then he divided the two fish among them all.
42. All the people ate and were satisfied.
43. The followers filled 12 baskets with the pieces of bread and fish that were not eaten.
44. There were about 5,000 men there who ate.
45. Then Jesus told his followers to get into the boat and go to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake. Jesus said that he would come later. He stayed there to tell the people they could go home.
46. After sending them away, he went into the hills to pray.
47. That night, the boat was in the middle of the lake. Jesus was alone on the land.
48. He saw the followers working hard to row the boat because the wind was blowing against them. At some time between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. He continued walking until he was almost past the boat.