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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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:2

They saw his miracles which he did - John does not mention these miracles; but Matthew details them, Matthew 12:2-14:13. John seems more intent on supplying the deficiencies of the other evangelists than in writing a connected history himself. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:2

Verse 2 2.And a great multitude followed him. So great ardor in following Christ arose from this, that, having beheld his power in miracles, they were convinced that he was some great prophet, and that he had been sent by God. But the Evangelist here omits what the other three relate, that Christ employed a part of the day in teaching and in healing the sick, and that, when the sun was setting, his disciples requested him to send away the multitudes, (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:34; Luke 9:11;) for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:1-6

The feeding of the five thousand. I. A THOUGHTLESS CROWD . Five thousand men have allowed themselves to be gathered together in a desert place, not very far indeed from places of habitation and nourishment, and yet far enough to cause faintness and famishing before they can reach them. They seem to have drifted into this position without any thought beforehand. The only sufficiently wise person among them was a bit of a lad who had five loaves and two small fishes with him. Yet these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:1-15

(1) The supply of human wants illustrated by a well known " sign " of power . Chronological difficulties beset our treatment of this miraculous narrative with its varied consequences and results. Many curious and even violent measures have been resorted to with a view to solve them. Some have supposed that John 5:1-47 . and 6. have been inverted in order, and that thus the presence of our Lord in Galilee, mentioned in John 4:1-54 ., would account for the statement of John 6:1 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:1-15

The miracle of the loaves and fishes. The scene of our Lord's ministry changes once more to Galilee, where he remains for the next seven months. Large multitudes followed him on account of his miracles—"because they saw the miracles which he did on them which were diseased." I. THE SCENE OF THE NEW MIRACLE . 1 . It was, as Luke tells us, at a " city called Bethsaida, " that is, Bethsaida Julias, in Gaulonitis, on the northeast of the sea of Galilee. 2 . It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:1-71

2. Christ declares himself to be the Sustainer and Protector of the life of which he is the Source . read more

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