ISB ~ John 6 v9

barley loaves:The food of the poor.

• This detail recalls the similar miracle of Elisha, who multiplied 20 loaves of barley for 100 men with some left over (2 Kings 4:42-44).

The miracle of Jesus is comparatively greater:he begins with fewer loaves (5), multiplies them for a larger crowd (5,000), and likewise has bread left over (6:13).

• Allegorically (St. Bede, Hom. in Evan.): the five loaves are the five books of the Torah, the two fish are the Prophets and Psalms, and the young boy is the Jewish people. When Jesus receives these OT Scriptures from the Jews, he breaks open their deeper, spiritual meanings to refresh the multitudes.