Ver. 1. After these things] i.e. A good while after; Herod having beheaded the Baptist, and being perplexed at the fame of Jesus, whom therefore he desired to see, but for an evil purpose, Luke 9:8,9.
Ver. 2. And a great multitude followed him] Though he went privately into a desert place belonging to Bethsaida, Luke 9:10. The Sun of righteousness could not be hidden, for he had “healing in his wings,” Malachi 4:2.
Ver. 3. And Jesus went up into a mount] [See Trapp on “Mt 5:1”] He would have been private till the passover and refreshed himself with his disciples; but seeing God had now put a new opportunity into his hands of benefiting many, he would not neglect it.
Ver. 4. And the passover] The third passover (likely) after his baptism. And this might occasion him to speak of the spiritual eating of himself, the true Paschal Lamb: for even “Christ our passover was sacrificed for us,” 1 Corinthians 5:7.
Ver. 5. He saith unto Philip] The people took no thought for food. Christ doth it for them. And surely if he so far provided for those, that out of a sudden motion, and no great good intention, came out after him, can we think he will be wanting to those that seek him constantly, and with full purpose of heart adhere unto him?
Ver. 6. And this he said to prove him] To discover him to himself: for what a man is in truth is what he is in a temptation. [See Trapp on “Mt 14:17”]
Ver. 7. Two hundred penny-worth] And where will you have half the money? send them away therefore, rid your hands honestly of them, and let us rest and refresh ourselves, as we resolved to do when we first retired hither. Thus he.
Ver. 8. One of his disciples] He uttered the sense of all the twelve, Mark 6:37, being no whit wiser than the rest, though the eldest disciple of them all, John 1:41.
Ver. 9. Five barley loaves and two small fishes] Was not Tyrabosco hardly driven, when from these five loaves and two fishes, he concluded seven sacraments? So in the second Council of Nice under Irene, John (one of the envoys of the Eastern churches) proved the making of images lawful, because God had said, “Let us make man after our own image.” A sound argument to overthrow one of God’s commandments! and yet it prevailed.
Ver. 10. Make the men sit down] And they did so, though they saw no sense for it. This kind of blind obedience is very acceptable: Clausis oculis Deum sequi debemus ducem. We must wink and put ourselves into God’s hand to be led whither he pleaseth.
Ver. 11. He distributed to the disciples] These five loaves (by a strange kind of arithmetic) were multiplied by division, and augmented by subtraction. The Macedonians found, that not getting, but giving, is the way to thrive, 2 Corinthians 9:8. Ex fame quaestum captabat Iosephus; et benignitate sua emit Egyptum: Nos etiam coelum. So in spiritual alms and good offices: God’s gifts grow in the hands of them that employ them, to feed many. Salienti aquarum fonti undas si tollas, nec exhauritur, nec extenuatur, sed dulcescit. Scientia, docendi officio, dulcedinem sentiat, non minutias. V er. 12. When they were filled] [See Trapp on “Mt 14:20”] V er. 13. Filled twelve baskets] See 1 Kings 17:15,16 Mt 14:20, [See Trapp on “Mt 14:20”]
Ver. 14. This is of a truth that prophet] Yet anon they are at it, “What sign showest thou?” that you may know them to be the Pharisees’ disciples. Of whose sour leaven also that in the next verse savours; where they would needs take him by force to make him a king, John 6:15. They could not imagine a Messiah that had not an earthly kingdom.
Ver. 15. Take him by force] Superstition will needs obtrude upon Christ will worship, whether he will or no, and despite him with seeming honours, as the Lycaonians would needs have stolen a sacrifice upon Paul and Barnabas; and the savages of Nova Albion upon Sir Francis Drake and his company, at their parting with them. They had set it on fire ere we were aware, saith he; we laboured by all means to withhold or withdraw them, but could not prevail, till at length we fell to prayers and singing of psalms, whereby they were allured immediately to forget their folly, and leave their sacrifice unconsumed, suffering the fire to go out; and imitating us in all their actions, they fell a lifting up their hands and eyes to heaven as they saw us to do.
Ver. 16. His disciples went down to the sea] By Christ’s own command, Matthew 14:22 Mr 6:45, yet they met with a sore storm. So may the best with trouble, in their most lawful employmeats, Psalms 34:18. But these make them look to their tackling, patience; to their anchor, hope; to their helm, faith; to their ace card, the Word; to their Captain, Christ, who is ever at hand.