The miraculous meal that now follows (6:41) could be compared to the manna-miracle in the desert or with the multiplication of bread at the time of Elisha (2 Kings 4:42–44). Jesus’ work, however, differs from these events not only in its magnitude (more people are fed with fewer means) but especially in its execution. Moses and Elisha speak about what Yahweh would do. Jesus does it himself. He takes the five loaves and the two fish and by his hands they are multiplied: he breaks the loaves (κατακλάω only here and in Luke 9:16 points to an intensive breaking that continues) and he gives the fish to them all.1
41 Il prit les cinq pains et les deux poissons et, levant les yeux vers le ciel, il rendit grâces. Puis, il rompit les pains, et les donna aux disciples, afin qu'ils les distribuent à la foule. Il partagea aussi les deux poissons entre tous.