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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

This passage of story, concerning Christ's feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, is recorded by all the four Evangelists, which very few, if any, of Christ's miracles are: this intimates that there is something in it worthy of special remark. Observe, I. The great resort of people to Christ, when he was retired into a desert place, Matt. 14:13. He withdrew into privacy when he heard, not of John's death, but of the thoughts Herod had concerning him, that he was John the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 14:13-21

14:13-21 When Jesus heard the news (of the death of John), he withdrew from there in a boat, into a deserted place alone. When the crowds heard of it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he had disembarked, he saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them to the depths of his being, and healed their sick. When it had become late, his disciples came to him: "The place is deserted," they said, "and the hour for the evening meal has already passed. Send the crowds... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 14:13-21

(iii) This miracle informs us very clearly of the place of the disciple in the work of Christ. The story tells that Jesus gave to the disciples and the disciples gave to the crowd. Jesus worked through the hands of his disciples that day, and he still does. Again and again we come face to face with this truth which is at the heart of the Church. It is true that the disciple is helpless without his Lord, but it is also true that the Lord is helpless without his disciple. If Jesus wants... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 14:13-21

There are some people who read the miracles of Jesus, and feel no need to understand. Let them remain for ever undisturbed in the sweet simplicity of their faith. There are others who read and their minds question and they feel they must understand. Let them take no shame of it, for God comes far more than half way to meet the questing mind. But in whatever way we approach the miracles of Jesus, one thing is certain. We must never be content to regard them as something which happened; we must... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:17

And they say unto him ,.... In order to excuse themselves, and to show the impossibility of feeding such a large number of people; we have here but five loaves ; and these barley ones, coarse bread; and two fishes ; small ones, which were dried and salted, and fit for present eating; which they either brought along with them for their own refreshment, or rather, were brought thither by a boy to sell, as is usual where a great concourse of people are got together: these words seem to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:17

We have here but five loaves and two fishes - When we are deeply conscious of our own necessities, we shall be led to depend on Jesus with a firmer faith. God often permits his servants to be brought low, that they may have repeated opportunities of proving the kindness and mercy of their gracious Lord and Master. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-36

CHRIST 'S POWER TO SUPPLY AND PROTECT AND HEAL , PREFACED BY A STATEMENT OF HEROD 'S RELATION TO HIM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

The feeding of the five thousand. Parallel passages: Mark 6:30-44 ; Luke 9:10-17 ; John 6:1-13 . The miracle was deemed so characteristic of our Lord's work, in his care for men and his power to sustain them, and more especially in its being a parable of his readiness to supply spiritual food, that it was recorded not only by each of the three evangelists who used the framework, but also by the one who depended entirely upon his own materials. But though St. John's account of it is on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

The feeding effective thousand. I. THE LORD 'S DEPARTURE FROM GALILEE . 1 . He went by ship into a desert place. His apostles had returned from their mission ( Luke 9:10 ); they needed rest, "for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." He had also heard of Herod's superstitious fears, and that he was desirous to see him. The Lord would not meet the tyrant; he departed out of his tetrarchy. He crossed the lake to a place near Bethsaida... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:13-21

.— The sacrament miracle. Distinguish this miracle of the feeding the five thousand, so glorious in all its incidents, and with its full fourfold narration, from that of the feeding the four thousand, recorded by Matthew ( Matthew 15:32-39 ) and Mark ( Mark 8:1-9 ) only. Lead to the consideration of this miracle by dwelling briefly on— I. THE MOTIVES OF THIS MIRACLE , There was one leading motive—a kind human compassion, a condescending memory of the bodily want of the... read more

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