Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
15. When the evening was drawing on. The disciples had now lost their object, and they see
that Christ is again absorbed in teaching, while the multitudes are so eager to receive instruction
that they do not think of retiring. They therefore advise that for the sake of attending to their bodily
wants, Christ should send them away into the neighboring villages. He had purposely delayed till
now the miracle which he intended to perform; first, that his disciples might consider it more
attentively, and might thus derive from it greater advantage; and next, that the very circumstance
of the time might convince them that, though he does not prevent, and even does not immediately
supply, the wants of his people, yet he never ceases to care for them, but has always at hand the
assistance which he affords at the very time when it is required.
16. Give you to them something to eat. As a fuller exposition of this miracle will be found at
the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, instead of troubling my readers with a repetition of what I have
said, I would rather send them to that exposition; but rather than pass over this passage entirely, I
shall offer a brief recapitulation. Hitherto Christ had bestowed his whole attention on feeding souls,
but now he includes within his duties as a shepherd the care even of their bodies. And in this way
he confirms his own saying, that to those who
seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,
all other things will be added, (Matthew 6:33.)
We have no right, indeed, to expect that Christ will always follow this method of supplying the
hungry and thirsty with food; but it is certain that he will never permit his own people to want the
necessaries of life, but will stretch out his hand from heaven, whenever he shall see it to be necessary
to relieve their necessities. Those who wish to have Christ for their provider, must first learn not
to long for refined luxuries, but to be satisfied with barley-bread.
Christ commanded that the people should sit down in companies; and he did so, first, that by
this arrangement of the ranks the miracle might be more manifest; secondly, that the number of the
men might be more easily ascertained, and that, while they looked at each other, they might in their
turn bear testimony to this heavenly favor. Thirdly, perceiving that his disciples were anxious, he
intended to make trial of their obedience by giving them an injunction which at first sight appeared
to be absurd; for, as no provisions were at hand, there was reason to wonder why Christ was making
arrangements that resembled a feast. To the same purpose is what follows, that he gave them the
loaves, in order that in their hands the astonishing increase might take place, and that they might
thus be the ministers of Christ’s divine power; for as if it had been of small importance that they
should be eye-witnesses, Christ determined that his power should be handled by them. 378 Two
hundred pence, according to the computation of Budaeus, are worth about thirty-four French livres;
378 “Car Christ ne se contentant point de leur faire voir de leurs propres yeux sa vertu, a voulu mesme qu’elle passast par leurs
mains, et qu’ils la touchassent;”— “for Christ, not satisfied with making them see his power with their own eyes, determined
even that it should pass through their hands, and that they should touch it.”
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John Calvin