Readers' Theatre: Feeding of the 5000


Readers’ Theatre: Matthew 14:13-21

Narr:     When Jesus heard what had happened to John the Baptist--
            that he had been put to death by King Herod--
            He got on a boat and went away to a deserted place by himself.
            But the crowds heard where he headed,
            and followed him on foot from many towns and villages.
            When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd,
            He had compassion on them
            and healed those who were sick.

            When it was evening, the disciples came to him.

One:     This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.
            Send the crowds away
            so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.

Narr:     But Jesus answered responded:

Jesus:   There’s no need to send them away.
            You can give them something to eat here.

One:     But we don’t have enough food to feed everyone.
            We only have five small loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus:   Bring the loaves of bread and the fish to Me.

Narr:     So the disciples brought Him the loaves and fish,
            and Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass.
            He took the five loaves and two fish,
            looked up to heaven,
            blessed them,
            and broke the bread into pieces.
            Then he gave the bread to the disciples,
            and the disciples passed them to the crowds.

            And everyone ate until they were full.
            Afterward, they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.
            In total, about five thousand men had eaten,
            not to mention all the women and children.


Matthew 14:13-21 (the story of the feeding of the 5000) is one of the lectionary texts for July 31, 2011 (the seventh Sunday after Pentecost).  For more creative worship resources based on this passage or other texts for this Sunday, click on Proper 13A in the list of “Labels” at the right side of the page.

For more readers’ theatre settings, click on Readers’ theatre in the list of “Labels” at the lower right.