John 6:1-15.
After this, Jesus sailed across the sea from the city of Tiberias in Galilee. And great multitudes followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were sick. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and sat there with his disciples. Now the feast of the Jews, Easter, was at hand. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and behold, a great multitude come unto him, and saith unto Philip, Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (This he said to tempt him, for he knew well what he would do). Philip answered him, Two hundred pennies worth of bread is not enough for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Peter's brother Simonis, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what is this among so many? And Jesus said, Make the people lie down. And there was much grass in the place. And about five thousand men encamped there. And Jesus took the loaves, and gave thanks, and gave to the disciples; and the disciples to them that were encamped; and to them also of the fishes, as much as he would. And when they were full, he said unto his disciples, Gather the fragments that remain, that nothing perish. So they gathered, and filled twelve baskets with fragments, of the five barley loaves that remained for those who had been fed. When the people saw the sign that Jesus had done, they said: This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him, that they might make him king, he departed again into the mountain by himself.
You will find the interpretation on Sunday Lätare at midfast. [See above Col. 276 ff.]
To the Christian reader.*)
This following Gospel with its interpretation may be read and preached at an appropriate time during the year. Here in our churches, on the Sundays before Advent, if one, two, or three (which is quite rare) are longer than the 24th Sunday after Trinity, we use to read and preach the Gospels and Epistles of the other future of our dear Lord Jesus Christ on the Last Day, as they are written in the Church Postil.
And is well thought of and ordered that one
*) Addition of the edition c. D. Red.
preach at this or another time of the year about the last day, which is now, if God wills, at the door, so that some hearts will be improved by it. For most of the people, and the greatest of them, are pretending and pretending as if the last day will never come and they will live here forever; for this reason, they are becoming secure and nefarious, taking care only of how they can get great honor and wealth here and live in security, joy and pleasure. But it will come to an evil end; they will not believe this (although Christ has faithfully warned them of this, Luke 21) until they rise up in the abyss of hell.