p. 298 | The Commentary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 19.

The Commentary.

By Editor

NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.

Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand.

[THE following is the complete story of the lesson for to-day as it is given in the Gospels. It is found by running into one connected narrative the records of all the four writers of the Gospels. There is nothing in it but what was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John on this subject, as found in the Revised Version. It is taken from a book entitled “Christ in the Gospels,” in which the whole life of Christ, as given by the four Gospel writers, is so arranged. It thus becomes the most interesting book that we ever saw. See last page of this paper.—Ed.]

And the apostles, when they were returned, gathered themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught. And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And he took them, and withdrew from thence in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias, to a desert place apart belonging to a city called Bethsaida. And when the multitudes heard thereof and saw them going, and many knew them, they followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick; and they ran there together on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand; and he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he welcomed them, and he began to teach them many things, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and their sick and them that had need of healing he healed. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is desert, and the day is now far spent. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and country round about, and lodge, and buy themselves something to eat. Jesus, therefore, lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? (And this he said to prove him; for he himself knew what he would do.) Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings' worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. But Jesus answered and said unto them, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat. And they said unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred shillings' worth of bread, and give them to eat? And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, when he knew, saith unto him, There is a lad here who hath five barley loaves and two fishes; but what are these among so many? (For they were about five thousand men.) And Jesus said, Bring them hither to me; and he said unto his disciples, Make the people sit down in companies, about fifty each, upon the green grass. (Now there was much grass in the place.) And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. Jesus therefore took the five loaves and the two fishes and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes, likewise also the two fishes divided he among them all, as much as they would. And they did all eat, and were filled. And when they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.

So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves and the fishes which remained over unto them that had eaten. And they that ate the loaves were about five thousand men, besides women and children. When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet which cometh into the world.

And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side of Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. Jesus therefore perceived that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king; and after he had sent the multitudes away, and had taken leave of them, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone to pray.

And when evening came he was there alone on the land; and his disciples went down unto the sea; and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew; and the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves. And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea; and he would have passed by them. When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they beheld Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were afraid and troubled, saying, It is an apparition; and they cried out for fear (for they all saw him, and were troubled). But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters, to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased; and they were sore amazed in themselves; for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened. They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat; and they worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going.