Matthew 14:17 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

The table in the wilderness. Jesus had several reasons for his crossing the lake to the desert of Bethsaida. 1 . He was there out of the jurisdiction of Herod. 2 . He avoided the pressure of the people and gained some leisure to converse with his disciples newly returned from their progress. 3 . He intended to spread before the multitude a table in the wilderness. He knew that the people would follow him. Note: Jesus sometimes leaves us that we may follow him. He lures us into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:15-21

Jesus feeding the multitude. On the death of John the Baptist Jesus retired to the eastern side of the lake, oppressed with grief and longing for a time of seclusion. But it was one of his trials that he was forbidden the rest of privacy when he most craved it. The crowds followed him with such enthusiasm that they quite forgot to provide themselves with needful food, and therefore when the evening was come they were out among the lonely mountains faint and hurry. Jesus had not brought about... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:17

And they say unto him, We have here ( ὧδε ) but five loaves ( Matthew 4:3 , note), and two fishes ( Matthew 7:9 , note). St. Matthew omits the question, "Shall we go and buy?" etc., which comes in Mark and Luke, and essentially in John (verse 5). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 14:13-21

A full narrative of the feeding the five thousand is given in each of the other evangelists: in Mark 6:32-44; in Luke 9:10-17; in John 6:1-14.Matthew 14:13And when Jesus heard of it, he departed - He went to a place of safety.He never threw himself unnecessarily into danger. It was proper that he should secure his life until the appointed time had come for him to die.By a ship into a desert place - That is, he crossed the Sea of Galilee. He went to the country east of the sea, into a place... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 14:15-18

Matthew 14:15-18. And when it was evening his disciples came to him That is, the first evening, which began at three in the afternoon. That this is the meaning is plain from Matthew 14:23, where another evening is said to have come after the people were fed and dismissed. Accordingly, Mark says, they came when the day was now far spent; and Luke, when the day began to wear away: saying, This is a desert place Where there is neither food nor lodging to be had; and the time is now past... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

65. Feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14)When the apostles returned from their first tour around the country areas, they met Jesus in Galilee and tried to have a quiet time alone with him (Mark 6:30-32; John 6:1). Jesus also was in need of a rest, but he was filled with pity when he saw the crowds of people flocking to him in their need. They appeared to him as a flock of spiritually starved sheep that had no food because there was no shepherd to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 14:17

And = But. have here but = have not (Greek. ou , as in Matthew 14:4 ) here [anything] except. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 14:17

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. And he said, Bring them hither to me.The little that men have is enough, if it is dedicated to the Lord. This profoundly impressive miracle of creation is recorded in all four gospels. It set off a tremendous wave of popular enthusiasm among the multitudes who hailed him as that Prophet who would come into the world. Psalms 78:19 recorded the question, "Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?" And in this instance, God in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 14:13-21 (cf. Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13)Matthew’s record of this miracle, which all four Gospels contain, stresses Jesus’ power to create, His compassion, and the disciples’ responsibility to minister to multitudes as Jesus’ representatives. It also previews the kingdom banquet (cf. Matthew 8:11). The simple meal that Jesus provided on this occasion in a wholesome setting contrasts with Herod’s lavish feast in a degenerate setting just described. [Note:... read more