After reading chapter three of John with its allusions to Baptism we now turn to the eucharistic motif of chapter six. Jesus' work of feeding the people evokes recognition in them that He is a prophet. He sees their very real need and responds to it in a super-abundant way. The faith that this act brings forth is not perfect christian faith. Jesus builds His disciples slowly. In giving the bread Jesus alludes to the liberating journey of the Exodus, at the time of the Passover, both in its historical memory and also its fulfilment in the hourney that Jesus will make to His Father.

This is a journey the disciples too must embark on. So the words of Gamaliel are almost a paraphrase of Jesus' words 'by their fruits you shall know them'. The learned rabbi quotes the example of other Gallileans who had been given messianic fame but whose movements collapsed after their death. Should Jesus' way be another such movement it would also fade. Like most sound advice Gamaliel's was not followed. The final act of witness of the apostles in Jerusalem is their contentment at suffering for Jesus and constancy in their preaching. Their trust in God expressed itself in very definite attitudes.