Mat 14:15-21 | PNT | STEP | When it was evening . It was the "first evening" which began at the decline of day about three o'clock in the afternoon. The second evening, according to Jewish customs, began at sunset. The day had already been spent in teaching and healing. This is a desert place . And hence there would be no hamlets dotting it, in which the multitudes could get provisions for themselves. There are no farm houses in Palestine. The whole population lives in towns or villages, and often the farmers go many miles to their fields.

Matthew 14:15-21

When it was evening. It was the "first evening" which began at the decline of day about three o'clock in the afternoon. The second evening, according to Jewish customs, began at sunset. The day had already been spent in teaching and healing.

This is a desert place. And hence there would be no hamlets dotting it, in which the multitudes could get provisions for themselves. There are no farm houses in Palestine. The whole population lives in towns or villages, and often the farmers go many miles to their fields. Give ye them to eat. We learn from the parallel accounts that the disciples did not understand how this could be done, though they cheerfully obeyed. (See Mr 6:37 Lu 9:13 Joh 6:7,9). We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. It was Andrew who spoke (Joh 6:8,9). The loaves here were of barley meal made into small, thin cakes, baked hard on the side of the oven, so as to be broken. He commanded the multitude to sit down. We learn from Mark that they sat down in companies (Mr 6:39).

On the grass. John says, "there was much grass there" (Joh 6:10). It was in the spring season, in Nisan, "the month of flowers", and the slopes were rich with the spring grass.

Looking up to heaven. In prayer we should use such outward gestures as may most fitly serve to express the inward disposition and holy affections of our heart and soul.

He blessed. He either gave thanks or asked the Father's blessing on the food. Twelve baskets full. Baskets were taken by the Jews on journeying, to carry their provisions, etc., that they might not have to depend on Gentiles, and so incur the risk of ceremonial pollution. Five thousand men. Thus there was one loaf to every thousand men. Christ is the bread if life, satisfying the hunger of the soul for love, forgiveness, immortality, usefulness, progress, knowledge. He gives that bread to his disciples and bids them to distribute it to the multitude. Such is its blessed and divine nature that the more they distribute to hungry, famishing souls, the more they have remaining for themselves.