1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
2 I have compassion on the multi- tude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat ;
3 And if I send them away fasting, to their own houses, they will faint by the way : for divers of them come from far.
4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilder- ness ?
5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye ? And they said, Seven.
6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground : and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them ; and they did set them be lore the people.
7 And they had a few small fishes; and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
8 So they did eat; and were filled : and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
9 And thev that had eaten were about four thousand : and he sent them away.
10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, "Why doth this gene- ration seek after a si^n ? verily I say nato you, There shall no sign be giv- en unto this generation.
13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Once more we see our Lord feeding a great multitude with a few loaves and fishes. He knew the heart of man. He saw the rise of cavillers and skeptics, who would question the reality of the wonderful works He performed. By repeating the mighty miracle here recorded, He stops the mouth of all who are not wilfully blind to evidence. Publicly, and before four thousand witnesses, He shows His almighty power a second time.
Let us observe in this passage how great is the kindness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. He saw around Him a "very great multitude/' who had nothing to eat. He knew that the great majority were following Him
mischief which has been inflicted on Christianity, has not arisen from tyrants (with persecution, murder, and pride against the word), but from that little bit of flesh which abides between the jaws. Tins it is that inflicts the greatest injury upon the kingdom of God."