Are the feeding of the 5,000 accounts in the Gospels the same event?
The feeding of the 5,000 accounts in the Gospels are not necessarily the same event. Each account can have different circumstances and details, indicating separate occasions. The writers do not conflict; sometimes they record the same event, but differing details show they report different times.
Les explains that many people assume the feeding of the 5,000 in one Gospel is the same event as the feeding of the 5,000 in another Gospel, but that is not necessarily true. He notes that each account, if looked at closely, has different circumstances and different details. This does not mean the Gospel writers are conflicting; rather, one writer is describing one event and another writer is describing a different event. Les points out that John says not all of Christ's miracles were recorded—only a small portion—because if all were written down, the world could not contain the books. So we have only highlights. Therefore, when studying the Gospels, keep in mind there is no contradiction. Sometimes they record the same event, and you can tell by the details. If the details don't fit, they are reporting on something that was not at the identical same time.