7. " A.pro\>;, loaves) The mode of living in the family of Jesus was extremely simple and frugal. They thought that they should have to buy bread in the place to which they were now coming, and that there would not be a sufficiency of bread there, which could be ascertained not to have been subjected to the leaven of the Pharisees. Our Lord answers, that even if no other bread could be procured, yet that He would feed them even without the bread of the Pharisees or any of that whole region.
8. Ti diaXoyifysui, why reason ye)1 Man imputes more griev ously to himself a defect in the care of outward things, to which God most easily accords indulgence. Faith's mode of estimat ing is of a higher kind. — oA/yoV/tfro/, 0 ye of little faitli) It is easy to fall, from want of faith, not only into doubts and fears, but also into errors of interpretation and other mistakes, and even forgetfulness.2
9. Oi>ff«, not yet) The fault of the sloAV learner is increased by his having heard long ago. — vos/re — ftvtytwtfan, understand, remember) The verb vosu expresses something more voluntary than ffuviTi'j,! ; see ver. 12 ; Mark vii. 18 ; 2 Tim. ii. 7. Sin affects also the mind and the memory. They ought to have understood, even if those two miracles had not been performed. We ought to remember even the circumstances of Divine works, and from former to hope for further help.3
9, 10. Hoffovg xotpivous, vroffas s<ffvpi8a$} how many cophini — how many spyrides) 4 In the first miracle, as the number of the loaves
1 Men pass a considerable part of their time, day and night, in turbulent thoughts. — V. g.
2 By the setting forth of the caution concerning the leaven, the stnallness of the faith of the disciples, who were disquieted concerning bread, was be trayed : but that faith the Lord subsequently strengthened, by reminding them of His having twice fed to the full so many thousands. — Harm.-, p. 347.
3 It is not such forgetfulness as they upbraided themselves with, ver. 7, but one altogether distinct, arising from unbelief accompanied with stupidity, that is here attributed to them as a fault. — V. g.
4 On the distinction between Cophini and Spyrides, both of which are rendered baskets in E. V., much has been said and written ; some maintain ing their identity, others their dissimilarity. Much difference of opinion also exists as to the derivation and original force of the words. The following observations of the able and indefatigable Kitto will be read with interest.