Ver. 1. The multitude being very great] Yet not so great as the five thousand before fed with fewer loaves and more leavings. To teach us, that God’s blessing, and not the quantity of meat, feeds and satisfies.
Ver. 2. I have compassion, &c.] [See Trapp on “Mt 15:32”] [See Trapp on “Mt 15:33”] [See Trapp on “Mt 15:34”]
Ver. 3. They will faint] εκλυθησονται, “their sinews will be loosened,” as it useth to f are with men in fainting fits. Physicians sometimes let blood usque ad deliquium animae; so doth God, as he did David often. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:32”]
Ver. 4. With bread] That is, with the coarsest fare. Horatius opponit panem libis et placentis, lib. i. ep. 10. Bread is used for homely provision.
Ver. 5. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:34”]
Ver. 6. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:35”]
Ver. 7. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:36”]
Ver. 8. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:37”]
Ver. 9. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:38”]
Ver. 10. [See Trapp on “Mt 15:39”]
Ver. 11. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:1”]
Ver. 12. And he sighed deeply] His heart was straitened (as the word αναστεναξας signifies) and would have burst, but for a vent. “ Expletur lachrymis egeriturque dolor. ” So those marked mourners sighed and cried for others, who were altogether insensible of their own miseries, Ezekiel 9:4. So Habakkuk trembled and quivered for the Chaldeans’ calamities, Habakkuk 3:16.
Ver. 13. And he left them] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:13”]
Ver. 15. Of the leaven of Herod] Of the Sadducees, saith Matthew; to the which sect some conceive that Herod had now joined himself, the better to still the noise of his conscience by making himself believe there was no judgment to come.
Ver. 16. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:7”]
Ver. 17. Perceive ye not yet] Christ reckons upon our time, and looks for improvement of our talents.
Ver. 18. Do ye mot remember] All is lost that is not well laid up in this pot of manna, the sanctified memory, 1 Corinthians 15:2.
Ver. 19. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:9”] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:10”]
Ver. 20. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:9”] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:10”]
Ver. 21. How is it that ye do not understand?] It is very ill taken when we improve not experiments. Of all things God can least abide to be forgotten.
Ver. 22. And they bring a blind man unto him] This is another of those miracles mentioned by St Mark only. See Mark 7:32.
Ver. 23. He took the blind man by the hand] He could have delivered him to his friends, to lead him; but he did it himself, as holding it an honour, a pleasure, to do men in misery any office of courtesy. And led him out of the town] Either that the miracle he wrought might be the less noticed, or as holding the inhabitants unworthy to behold it. All Israel might see Moses go towards the rock of Rephidim; none but the elders might see him strike it. Their unbelief made them unworthy this privilege; so might their unthankfulness the men of Bethsaida. Woe to thee, Bethsaida! It is no small favour of God to make us witnesses of his great works.
Ver. 24. I see men as trees, walking] This was done, saith an expositor, to the end that Christ’s power might be the more distinctly known; as also to instruct men in their degrees and progresses of spiritual illumination, to give God the glory wholly, both for the beginning and for the accomplishment. He is author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2.
Ver. 25. He saw every man clearly] τηλαυγως, Procul et dilucide, longe lateque. When we come to heaven, we shall see as we are seen, who now see but as in a glass obscurely, as old men do through spectacles, 1 Corinthians 13:12.
Ver. 26. Neither go into the town] Christ would not vouchsafe such an ungrateful people the benefit of one more preacher, though never so mean. This was a greater judgment upon them than if he had turned some other way that arm of the sea that brought so much wealth into their town.
Ver. 27. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:13”]
Ver. 28. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:13”]
Ver. 29. Thou art the Christ] This was much in few. Here is not Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, &c. Which if either St Mark or St Peter had esteemed (as Papists now do) the foundation of the Christian Church, it had not been here omitted (as Beza well observeth), since it goes for current among the ancients, that St Mark wrote this Gospel at St Peter’s mouth.
Ver. 30. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:20”]
Ver. 31. And after three days] That is, within three days, or on the third day.
Ver. 32. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:22”] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:23”]
Ver. 33. [See Trapp on “Mt 16:22”] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:23”]
Ver. 34. Whosoever will come after me] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:38”] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:24”] Let him deny himself] Christianity (saith one) is perpetua naturae violentia, a continual crossing of corrupt nature. Take up his cross] It is but a delicacy that men dream of to divide Christ and his cross. Every Christian must be a Crucian, said Luther, and do somewhat more than those monks that made themselves wooden crosses, and carried them on their backs continually, making all the world laugh at them.
Ver. 35. For whosoever will save his life] As that revolting priest, host to Philbert Hamlin, martyr, slain by his enemy upon a private quarrel. As those Angrognians that yielded to the Papists that came against them, and were more cruelly handled by them than their neighbours they continued constant in the truth. As Denton, the smith of Wells, in Cambridgeshire, that could not burn for Christ, and was afterwards burned in his own house, As West, that was chaplain to Bishop Ridley, who, refusing to die for Christ’s cause with his master, said mass against his conscience, and soon after pined away for sorrow. If I shrink from God’s truth (said Doctor Taylor, martyr), I am sure of another manner of death than had Judge Hales, who being drawn, for fear of death, to do things against his conscience, did afterwards drown himself. (Acts and Mon.)
Ver. 36. For what shall it profit a man] And yet many do as Shimei, that, to seek his servants, lost himself. And as Jonah, that was content to be cast into the sea, that the ship with her lading might come safe to shore.
Ver. 37. Or, what shall a man give?] [See Trapp on “Mt 16:26”]
Ver. 38. In this adulterous and sinful, &c.] The worse the times are the better we should be. Stars are most needed in a dark night. We may as well, saith Zuinglius, Ad aram Iovis aut Veneris adorare, ac sub Antichristo fidem occultare. Antichrist’s limbs have their mark in their hand, which they may show or hide at pleasure; but Christ’s members have their marks in their foreheads only. David’s parents and brethren came down to him to the cave of Adullam, though to their great danger, 1 Samuel 22:1. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chain at Rome, 2 Timothy 1:16. When he cometh in the glory] David going against Goliath, took only his sling, and a few stones; but when against Nabal, he marched better appointed. So Christ came at first in a mean condition; but when he comes again to judgment, he shall march furiously, attended with troops of saints and angels.