Mat 14:13-21 | RWP | e4.org | In a boat ( εν πλοιω ) "on foot" ( πεζη , some MSS. πεζω ). Contrast between the lake and the land route.

‏ Matthew 14:13-21

In a boat ( εν πλοιω ) "on foot" ( πεζη, some MSS. πεζω ). Contrast between the lake and the land route.

Their sick ( τους αρρωστους αυτων ). "Without strength" ( ρωννυμ and α privative). Εσπλαγχνισθη is a deponent passive. The verb gives the oriental idea of the bowels ( σπλαγχνα ) as the seat of compassion.

When even was come ( οψιας γενομενης ). Genitive absolute. Not sunset about 6 P.M. as in 8:16 and as in 14:23, but the first of the two "evenings" beginning at 3 P.M.

The place is desert ( ερημος εστιν ο τοπος ). Not a desolate region, simply lonely, comparatively uninhabited with no large towns near. There were "villages" ( κωμας ) where the people could buy food, but they would need time to go to them. Probably this is the idea of the disciples when they add:

The time is already past ( η ωρα ηδη παρηλθεν ). They must hurry.

Give ye them to eat ( δοτε αυτοις υμεις φαγειν ). The emphasis is on υμεις in contrast (note position) with their "send away" ( απολυσον ). It is the urgent aorist of instant action ( δοτε ). It was an astounding command. The disciples were to learn that "no situation appears to Him desperate, no crisis unmanageable" (Bruce).

And they say unto him ( ο δε λεγουσιν αυτω ). The disciples, like us today, are quick with reasons for their inability to perform the task imposed by Jesus.

And he said ( ο δε ειπεν ). Here is the contrast between the helpless doubt of the disciples and the confident courage of Jesus. He used "the five loaves and two fishes" which they had mentioned as a reason for doing nothing. "Bring them hither unto me." They had overlooked the power of Jesus in this emergency.

To sit down on the grass ( ανακλιθηνα επ του χορτου ). "Recline," of course, the word means, first aorist passive infinitive. A beautiful picture in the afternoon sun on the grass on the mountain side that sloped westward. The orderly arrangement (Mark) made it easy to count them and to feed them. Jesus stood where all could see him "break" ( κλασας ) the thin Jewish cakes of bread and give to the disciples and they to the multitudes. This is a nature miracle that some men find it hard to believe, but it is recorded by all four Gospels and the only one told by all four. It was impossible for the crowds to misunderstand and to be deceived. If Jesus is in reality Lord of the universe as John tells us (Joh 1:1-18) and Paul holds (Col 1:15-20), why should we balk at this miracle? He who created the universe surely has power to go on creating what he wills to do.

Were filled ( εχορτασθησαν ). Effective aorist passive indicative of χορταζω. See Mt 5:6. From the substantive χορτος grass. Cattle were filled with grass and people usually with other food. They all were satisfied.

Broken pieces ( των κλασματων ). Not the scraps upon the ground, but the pieces broken by Jesus and still in the "twelve baskets" ( δωδεκα κοφινους ) and not eaten. Each of the twelve had a basketful left over ( το περισσευον ). One hopes that the boy (Joh 6:9) who had the five loaves and two fishes to start with got one of the basketsful, if not all of them. Each of the Gospels uses the same word here for baskets ( κοφινος ), a wicker-basket, called "coffins" by Wycliff. Juvenal (Sat. iii. 14) says that the grove of Numa near the Capenian gate of Rome was "let out to Jews whose furniture is a basket (cophinus) and some hay" (for a bed). In the feeding of the Four Thousand (Matthew and Mark) the word σφυρις is used which was a sort of hamper or large provisions basket.

Beside women and children ( χωρις γυναικων κα παιδιων ). Perhaps on this occasion there were not so many as usual because of the rush of the crowd around the head of the lake. Matthew adds this item and does not mean that the women and children were not fed, but simply that "the eaters" ( ο εσθιοντες ) included five thousand men ( ανδρες ) besides the women and children.