Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”
There was plenty of grass in that place,
and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
John 6:10 NIV
Jesus, unhurried and orderly, had them sit down on the grass. (Interestingly, only the men were counted. Many Bible scholars believe the actual number, including women and children, could have been 15,000—20,000 people.)
They sat down: In order to receive the miraculous provision, they had to follow instructions, in other words, to obey. Those did would soon be filled to the full.
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
He did the same with the fish.
John 6:11 NIV
In Matthew’s account:
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven,
he gave thanks and broke the loaves.
Then he gave them to the disciples,
and the disciples gave them to the people.
Matthew 14:19 NIV
He gave thanks and broke the loaves: Jesus only had a few loaves of bread and a few fish, but He gave His Father thanks for what He did have.
He gave them to the disciples: Jesus deliberately chose a method that brought the disciples into the work.
The disciples had to trust the Lord for everything they distributed.
They could only give as they received.
Philip, Andrew, and the rest were put in a position
of total dependence upon the Lord for the supply.
God still uses people the same way today.
(from GotQuestions.org)
As much as they wanted: God’s supply was extravagant, as much as any of them wanted. All ate until they were completely satisfied. “As much as they wanted” included the little boy. An adequate lunch, in Jesus’ hands, turned it into an all-you-can-eat feast for everyone.
I wonder, did the people who ate and were filled understand that they were taking part in a miracle?