to fish par excellence. Fish became among the Greeks a chief dainty to gourmands, so that Demosthenes describes a glutton and spendthrift as one who is extravagant in fish.
But what are they among so many? Peculiar to John, though the idea is implied in Luke ix. 13.
10. Sit down (dvazecetv). Lit., recline.
Grass (ydptos). Originally an enclosure. Thus Homer speaks of Peleus offering a sacrifice, avAtjs év ydpte@, in the en- closure of the court (“ Iliad,” xi., 774). Hence a feeding-place, and so grass, provender. The sense is merely that of our ab- stract pasture. Matthew and Mark mention the grass, Mark with the epithet green. Wyc., hay.
11. Given thanks. All the Synoptists relate his looking up to heaven and blessing. Perhaps he used the familiar formula, “Blessed art thou Jehovah our God, King of the world, who causes to come forth bread from the earth.”
To the disciples, and the disciples. The best texts omit. Render, as Rev., He distributed to them that were set down.
Likewise of the fishes. So also Mark. As much as they would. Peculiar to John.
12. Fragments («Adcpuara). From «rdw, to break. Rev., broken pieces.
That remain (reptocetcavta). Rev., remain over. Lit., exceed the necessary supply. Only John gives the Lord’s com- mand to collect the fragments, and the reason for it, that nothing be lost.
13. Baskets (xopivovs). See on Matt. xiv. 20. Wyc., coffins. With the fragments, etc. John goes into fuller detail than
the Synoptists. Mark alone notes the gathering of the remains Vou. I1.—10