9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, {e} he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
(e) He gave God thanks for these loaves and fishes, and prayed at the same time that God would feed this multitude which was so great with such a small quantity, and to put it briefly, that this whole banquet might be to the glory of God.
9:10-17 Went aside privately. For the feeding of the five thousand, see notes on Mt 14:13-27 Mr 6:30-44 Joh 6:1-21.
A desert place. Near Bethsaida, on the eastern shore of the Jordan.
Bethsaida. Near the mouth of the Jordan into the Sea of Galilee.
9:10-17 The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.
