Matthew 14:15-33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:18

He said, bring them hither to me. The loaves and the fishes, signifying that they were sufficient; or that he would make them so: this he said, to try their faith in him, their obedience to him, and their liberality to others: and indeed, the best way to have an increase of temporal supplies, is to bring what we have, and put it into Christ's hands; whereby not only good is done to others, but that with an overplus is returned to the giver. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:19

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass ,.... The other evangelists say, that he ordered the disciples to cause the people to sit down; both no doubt were done: the multitude were commanded to sit down by Christ, which, without his orders, they would never have done; and the disciples were enjoined to place them in form, by companies, in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties, that their number might be the better taken, and the food more orderly distributed by the apostles: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:20

And they did all eat ,.... Christ and his twelve disciples, and the five thousand men, with the women and children, of the five loaves and two fishes; everyone had their portion, and were filled ; they were satisfied, they had a full meal, they had enough, and to spare; see 2 Chronicles 31:10 which the Targumist paraphrases thus. "And Azariah said unto him, who was appointed chief over the house of Zadok, and said, from the time that they began to separate the offering, to bring it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:21

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men ,.... The word "about", is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, in Munster's Hebrew Gospel, and in the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions, which expressly say there were so many. A large number indeed, to be fed with five loaves and two fishes! besides women and children ; who were not taken into the account, though they all ate, and were filled, it not being usual with the Jews to number their women; and who might be near as large a number... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:22

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples ,.... As soon as ever he had wrought the above miracle, and perceived that the people were so convinced by it, of his being the Messiah, that they were determined, whether he would or not, to set him up for a temporal king, to deliver them from the Roman yoke; which they doubted not he was able to do, who could feed so large a number, with such a small quantity of provision; see John 6:14 and knowing also, that his disciples had imbibed the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:23

And when he had sent the multitudes away ,.... Had ordered them at least to go away; for, it seems, according to John 6:22 that they did not in general disperse: there was a large body of them that continued upon the spot all night, expecting his return; in which being disappointed, they took shipping, and came to Capernaum. He went up into a mountain apart to pray ; perhaps the same he went up to before, and from whence he came down, John 6:3 . This he chose as a proper place for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:24

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea ,.... That is, the ship in which the disciples were put into, to go on the other side, had by this time got into the midst of the sea: the Syriac and Persic versions say, it was "many furlongs from land"; and the Arabic expressly says, "about twenty five furlongs": which account seems to be taken from John 6:19 but this was not all, it was not only at such a distance from land, but was tossed with waves : up and down, and in danger of being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:25

And in the fourth watch of the night ,.... This is said, according to the division of the night into four watches, by the Jews; who F15 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2. 4. Echa Rabbati, fol. 54. 4. say, that "there are four watches in the night, and four watches in the day.' It is true indeed, that it is disputed among them, whether there were four watches, or only three in the night: some say there were four, others say there were but three F16 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 3. 1, 2. ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:26

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea ,.... It being now morning, and perhaps might have moon light; and besides, there is always more light upon the water than land; they were able to discern something like a man, walking upon the surface of the sea, but had not light enough to distinguish what, or who it was; and, moreover, had no thought of Christ, or expectation of seeing him; and the appearance of a man walking upon the waters being so unusual, and astonishing, they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:27

But straightway Jesus spake unto them ,.... Directly, the very moment, as soon as ever they cried out, and he perceived the consternation they were in, as one truly affected towards them, and concerned for their welfare; he called out aloud unto them, not coming with any intention to fright them, but to save them; saying, be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid : take heart, be of good courage, do not be affrighted at my appearance, from whom you have nothing to fear; nor be afraid of... read more

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