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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 6:1-14

We have here an account of Christ's feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, which miracle is in this respect remarkable, that it is the only passage of the actions of Christ's life that is recorded by all the four evangelists. John, who does not usually relate what had been recorded by those who wrote before him, yet relates this, because of the reference the following discourse has to it. Observe, I. The place and time where and when this miracle was wrought, which are... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 6:1-13

6:1-13 After these things Jesus went away across the Sea of Galilee, that is, the Sea of Tiberias. A great crowd was following him, because they were watching the signs which he did on those who were ill. Jesus went up into the hill and he was sitting there with his disciples. The Passover, the Feast of the Jews, was near. When Jesus lifted up his eyes and saw that a great crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip: "Where are we to buy bread for these to eat?" He was testing Philip when he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 6:1-13

We will never know exactly what happened on that grassy plain near Bethsaida Julias. We may look at it in three ways. (a) We may regard it simply as a miracle in which Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Some may find that hard to conceive of; and some may find it hard to reconcile with the fact that that is just what Jesus refused to do at his temptations ( Matthew 4:3-4 ). If we can believe in the sheer miraculous character of this miracle, then let us continue to do so. But if we are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:2

And a great multitude followed him ,.... From several cities and towns in Galilee, where he had been preaching and working miracles: because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased ; so that it was not for the sake of his doctrine, or for the good of their souls, they followed him; but either to gratify their curiosity in seeing his miracles, or to be healed in their bodies, as others had been. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:3

And Jesus went up into a mountain ,.... In a desert place near Bethsaida, Luke 9:10 ; and there he sat with his disciples ; partly for security from the cruelty of Herod, having just heard of the beheading of John; and partly for privacy, that he might have some conversation alone with his disciples, upon their return from off their journey; as also for the sake of rest and refreshment; and according to the custom of the Jewish doctors, which now prevailed; see Gill on Matthew 5:1 ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:4

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. This was the third passover, since our Lord's baptism, and entrance on his public ministry; see John 2:13 . Whether Christ went up to this feast is not certain; some think he did not; but from what is said in John 7:1 , it looks as if he did: how nigh it was to the feast, cannot well be said. Thirty days before the feast, they began to talk about it; and especially in the last fifteen days, they made preparations for it, as being at hand ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:5

When Jesus then lift up his eyes ,.... Being before engaged in close conversation with his disciples, and looking wistly and intently on them, whilst he was discoursing with them: and saw a great company come unto him ; who came on foot, over the bridge at Chammath, from Capernaum, and other cities of Galilee: he saith unto Philip ; he directed his discourse to him particularly, because he was of Bethsaida, near to which place Christ now was, and therefore might be best able to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:6

And this he said to prove him ,.... Or "tempting him", trying his faith, and not only his, but the rest of the disciples; not as ignorant of it himself, but in order to discover it to him and them, and to prepare them for the following miracle; and that it might appear the more illustrious and marvellous: for he himself knew what he would do ; Christ had determined to work a miracle, and feed the large number of people that were with him, with that small provision they had among them;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:7

Philip answered him ,.... Very quick and short, and in a carnal and unbelieving way: two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them . Two hundred pence, or "Roman denarii", which may be here meant, amount to six pounds five shillings of our money; and this sum is mentioned, because it might be the whole stock that was in the bag, or that Christ and his disciples had; or because this was a round sum, much in use among the Jews; See Gill on Mark 6:37 . Or this may be said by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:8

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother ,.... Who also, and his brother Peter, were of Bethsaida, as well as Philip, and was a disciple of Christ's; he hearing what Christ said to Philip, and what answer he returned, saith unto him ; to Christ, with but little more faith than Philip, if any. read more

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