He was testing Philip.

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

John 6:5–6 (NIV)

THE QUESTION

Before Jesus fed the crowd, why did He ask Philip where they could buy bread?

A) He didn’t know where to buy food.

B) He wanted Philip to dismiss the crowd.

C) He was testing Philip. ✓

D) He needed permission to feed them.

A closer look

Philip was the practical one to ask. He came from Bethsaida, just up the shore, so if anyone knew where to buy bread nearby, it was him. And Philip did the math out loud: more than half a year’s wages wouldn’t buy enough for everyone to have a bite (John 6:7).

Here’s the twist. Jesus already knew what He was going to do. The question wasn’t for information. It was an invitation for Philip to look at an impossible crowd, then look at Jesus. Philip looked at the budget instead.

That’s the same welcome as today’s verse. The crowd came to Jesus with nothing but their hunger, and He fed every one of them. “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). You don’t come with a plan. You just come.

See you tomorrow for a new verse, prayer, and trivia. Have a blessed Sunday. ♡