question, they fix on the sum two hundred denarii)1 not so much according to the supply which was in their purse at the time, as according to the number of the multitude. See what can be elicited from the data furnished to us : 5000 men is to 200 denarii, as one man is to ^th of a denarius, i.e. about half of a German kreuzer (halfpenny). We have, besides the argu ment of changing the old money [mintage] into new, that ex pression of John vi. 7, " that every one of them may take a little" especially at that time of year, about the Passover, John vi. 4, when the price of provisions is usually higher ; we have also the rational computation of the disciples, whereby in contrast on the opposite side is illustrated the omnipotence of our Lord. The sum of 200 zuzoei, or denarii, was among the Hebrews very frequent in the case of a dowry or fine : but this does not oppose the analogy of the 200 denarii and 5000 men.
40. ' Avixtaov, they sat down) A proof of faith on the part of the people.
41. naff/, all) All partook even of the accompaniment, the fish : even of it also remnants were left, ver. 43 ; [which, as a fish consists of very different parts, is therefore less intelligible to mere reason, than the multiplication of the bread. — V. g.]
45. TLplg B7jSffa/'6d!>, to Bethsaidd) This was the terminus, not of their whole voyage, but in part, until Jesus was about to come to them.
48. EJdiv, He saw) And yet He did not come to them, before that it was the full [proper] time. — tfdeXs, was wishing [would have]) Comp. Luke xxiv. 28.
52. Tap, for) They ought to have inferred from the miracle of the loaves as to [His power also over] the sea. The more exercised that faith is, the more it becomes accustomed to the spectacle of [to seeing and discerning] the marvellous works of God. [Comp. Matth. xiv. 33.] — fa yap, for ivas) Not only is that particular time denoted, but the habitual state of their heart during their then pupillage [early training].
53. Hpoffupfj,!ffdqffa.v, they drew to the shore) promptly.
55. 'ET/ TO?;) The dative : in beds, as they had been lying.
1 Pence : though the denarius, originally so called from being = 10 asses, is really somewhat more than 7£ pence ; or, according to its earlier value, 8J pence. — ED. and TRANSL.