“And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”
The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand — the five thousand men (andres, specifically males) is the headcount for the miracle, which Matthew adds were in addition to women and children — the total number fed may have been significantly larger. The number communicates scale: this is not a small gathering but a crowd of thousands, and every one of them ate and was satisfied. The miracle is public, large-scale, and undeniable.
Church Fathers on Mark 6:44
The Lord, placing before them, first, what is most profitable, that is, the food of the word of God, afterwards also gave the multitude food for their bodies; in beginning to relate which, the Evangelist say, 'And when the day was now far spent, His disciples came unto Him, and said, This is a desert place.
The time being far spent, points out that it was evening. Wherefore Luke says, 'But the day had begun to decline.'
This in the Gospel of John is the answer to Philip, but Mark gives it as the answer of the disciples, wishing it to be understood that Philip made this answer as a mouthpiece of the others; although he might put the plural number for the singular, as is usual.
Read all 13 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!