Jesus withdrew by boat to a secluded place after hearing about John. When people heard where he went, they followed him on foot from cities. Seeing a large crowd, Jesus felt compassion and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away to buy food, but Jesus told them to feed the people with the five loaves and two fish they had. Jesus blessed and broke the food, and the disciples distributed it to over 5,000 men plus women and children, with twelve baskets of leftovers. The passage implies that experiencing God's power through participating in Jesus' ministry can bring miraculous provision, physical restoration, and foundational understanding.