is purposely reported, no doubt, in. order to show how strong was the conviction of our Lord's disciples that they had not suf- ficient provision to feed the multitude, and then to bring out into clearer light the greatness of the miracie which our Lord wrought. It also helps to prove that the wonderful feehng of the multitude was not a preconcerted and prepared thing, ar- ranged by our Lord and His disciples. Even His own immedi- ate followers were taken by surprise.
10. — [Jesus said, make the men sit down.] This arrangement pre- vented confusion and preserved order, points of vast importance when any large assembly of people is gathered together. More- over, it made it less easy to practise any imposition or deceit in the feeding of the multitude. When every man was sitting steadily in his appointed place, no one could be passed over in the distribution of food, without it being observed. St. Mark tells us that they "sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fif- ties." (Mark vi. 40.)
[There was much grass in the place.] The time of the year when these things happened would be the very time when there was most " grass." It was in the spring-time, just before the passover, when the winter was gone, and the parching heat of summer had not begun, Thomson, the American traveller, re- ports that at this very day there is an open space of green gras3 at the foot of a hill, at the very place where in all probabihty this miracle took place.
Let us note our Lord's consideration for the bodily comfort of His followers. He chooses a place where there was " much grass" to sit down on.
[So the men sat down.. .Jive thousand.] The word " men " here is probably emphatic, in contradistinction to the "women and children," whom Matthew expressly mentions as having been present beside the five thousand men. In the Greek the word is not the same as that rendered "men" in the first clause of this verse.
II. — [Jesus took the loave8...given thanks.] The expression here seems rather to imply a solemn action of prayer and blessing, as well as of giving thanks, as the first preliminary to the mighty miracle about to follow. In fact St. Luke says, " He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven He blessed them, and brake, and gave," etc. (Luke ix. IQ.) This also seems implied in St. John's subsequent reference to this miracle, where He speaks of " the place where they did eat bread after that the Lord had given thanks." (John vi.23.) The Greek word here used is precisely the same that is used in the account of the institution of the Lord's Supper given by St. Matthew St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. Paul. St. Matthew and