5.113 – so that we may know with certainty that you have spoken truthfully to us
The disciples ask ‘Īsā whether his Lord is able to send down a table from the sky (v. 112). They say that they are asking for a miracle so they may be certain about the truth of ‘Īsā’s message. This detail is interesting because in the early years of the Arab Empire, when conquered Christians first heard the preaching of Islam, they asked whether the messenger of Islam had any miracles to his credit to support the truth claims of Islam. The messenger of the Quran is asked for a “sign” several times, including at 6.109. See a discussion of verses that question whether the messenger performs miracles at 43.40.
The word table in verses 112 and 114, occurring only here, gives this sūra its name, al-Mā’ida.