Guys, have you ever heard Jesus fed five thousand men?
This story tell us about their (Jews passover) culture, how they count people of crowd, and equivalent pennyworth (dinar) to feed the crowd.
Look for the bible King James version, and here is the story.
John 6:1-15
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth (dinar) of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, "Make the men sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, " Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragment of five barleys loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Description
1. The passover was nigh, the crowd of people is used to gather with their family. The same with family in Indonesia, especially Moslem family, they would have preparation to fasting in several days after. Usually someone will plan to meet their friend (high school, college), close-friend, and family.
However, this passover period, Jews also recommemorated the Exodus of their people from Egypt by led of Moses. Many of Jews also hoped the messiah (prophet) would come into the world to lead them again. That's why, Jews saw Jesus have the ability to be the messiah and lead them again (point 14).
2. In culture of Jews, counting the crowd is counting only the man. Well, this story also shows us, every woman, and children belongs to their husband/father (man).
Matthew 14: 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
In assumption, if a man have one wife or one child, the total of the crowd shall be 5000 x 2 = 10 000. This calculation is the minimalist one. The average calculation is 15 000 people if a man have one wife and one child.
3. Jesus asked Philip to feed the crowd, and Philip answered him, "Two hundred pennyworth (dinar) of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."
Anyhow i feel confused and terrible how King James bible version switch word 'dinar' to 'pennyworth', because this is very important to describe the currency and monetary matter at that time.
This below is the first gold dinar as per Wikipedia version.
IF the dinar mass 4.25 grams gold (22 carat), the the exact value is equal to 3.9 ~ 4.0 grams pure gold (24 carat).
Then, the conversion of 200 dinars = 200 x 4 grams = 800 grams pure gold.
Currency of Indonesia Rupiah at (1 gram gold 460.000 rupiah, 17 April 2013),
Total = 200 dinars = 800 grams x 460 000 IDR/gram = IDR 368 000 000.
Note: If this is the conversion of the 200 dinars, it is equivalent to price of one unit small apartment in central Jakarta (2013, May 7).
Hence, the distribution equivalent penny to the crowd, IDR 368 000 000 / 15 000 = IDR 24 533...
Somehow, this rupiah can afford one small portion of Nasi putih + ikan goreng (ayam), this days, and could be equivalent to one bread + one fish, the previous days.
Conclusion.
God does always knows what His people need, even if we tend to be pessimistic, He gave us abundantly, our soul and physical need. :D
Additional : Then, we know now, Philip did good on the calculation of the consumption cost. :)
Source: Catatan Pagi, Bible King James Version, and Wikipedia.
The First Gold Dinar
The gold coins were first struck to the contemporary standard of 4.4 grams and with one or more Arabic Standing figures on the obverse and an Arabic legend on the reverse. Dated coins exist from 74 AH and are named as 'Dinars'. These experimental issues were replaced in 77 AH, except in North Africa and Spain, by completely epigraphical designs very similar to the designs adopted for the silver pieces but with a shorter reverse legend and no annulets or inner circles. This type was used without appreciable change for the whole of Umayyad period, the coins being struck to a new and carefully controlled standard of 4.25 grams. This weight was reputed to be based on the average of the current Byzantine solidi, was called a mithqal, a term used earlier for 1/72 of a ratl. Evidence of the importance attached to the close control of the new Dinars is provided by the existence of glass weights, mainly from Egypt. They usually show the governor's name, sometimes the date but all marked with coin denomination.
The issues in gold from North Africa began as copies of the coins of Heraclius and his son (but with an abbreviated Kalima in Latin), the reverse 'cross on steps' losing in most cases its cross piece. Dinars, halves and thirds were struck, all to the new weight standard. Later coins are dated by indiction, from Indiction II (85/4) changing to the Hijra date in Roman numerals in 94 AH with Arabic phrases appearing in the field from 97 AH. In the year 100, North Africa came into line with the eastern issues although the mint is named as Ifriqiya. The legends are shorter and the reverse has a new central inscription: "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate". This was used also on the coins from Al-Andalus, and on the half and third Dinars, most of which show no mint but may well have been struck in Al-Andalus.
