for themselves) The disciples seem sometimes to have bought food for them.
16. Oi yjtiav, no need) We should not labour for that which is not necessary. — u/xf/j, you) significantly. The disciples already possessed the rudiments of miraculous faith.1
17. " Ap rov$} loaves) obtained for the present exigency one by one.
19. 'Ai/axX/dJji/a/, to be seated) The faith of the people is thus exercised. — rov$ aprovc, the loaves) sc. whatever was there. — ai/a/Sxe-4/as, looking up) Jesus referred everything to the Father (see John xi. 41, xvii. 1) with the most entire confidence : far different from the practice of sinners; see Luke xviii. 13. — o/ & padqra,}, but His disciples) A prelude to their future admi nistration.2 See Acts iv. 35.
20. ndvrzg, all) How much more can all partake of the one body of the Lord in the Holy Supper. — xXaapdruv, of fragments) of most excellent bread ; cf. John ii. 10. A most substantial miracle. The people were not permitted to carry any away for the sake of curiosity. — dudsxa, twelve) see Gnomon on ch. xvi. 9. There were remnants also of fishes ; see Mark vi. 43. They were preserved for future eating, not, like manna, as a memorial.
21. TwaixZjv xai vaidluv, women and children) of whom no doubt there was a large number.
22. EvQeus, straightway) Our consideration ought not to dwell on things which we have well done. — qvd'yx.aaiv, constrained) compelled) as it is allowable to believe, for important reasons. They did not willingly sail alone. — r& vXoTov, the vessel) men tioned in ver. 13. — eu$, x.r.X., until, etc.) He is not said to have told them that He should pray. He gave an example of pray ing in secret.
23. To opog, the mountain) which was in that region. Moun tains and elevated places (see Acts x. 9) are especially suited for prayer, on account of their solitude, and their being open to heaven. — XOLT Idiav, apart) Not even the disciples being present. In such a retreat, matters of the greatest importance took place
1 In the original, "Rudimenta fidei miraculorum apud discipulos" — i.e. that special faith which is required for the performance of miracles. -(I. B.)
2 Sc. of the charities distributed to the needy brethren. — ED.