It had been a long day for them and now they were weary, hungry, restless.  And the next day would also be long and tiring as they continued their pilgrimage to the City of the Great King.  And Jesus knew and understood their need for rest and refreshment.  Rest to get over the rush and bustle and jostling of the day, refreshment for the day ahead.  And he gave them both.

“Make the people sit down“ (NRSV, John 6:10), and when they had done that he fed them with all the food there was – five barley loaves and two small fishes – but by the power of God it was miraculously multiplied, so that it became enough, and more than enough, for the 5000.