Beside women and children (χωρις γυναικων κα παιδιων). Perhaps on this occasion there were not so many as usual because of the rus…

Five thousand men, besides, etc. Probably the number might have been ten thousand. To feed so many was an act of great benevolence, and a …

Beside women and children — St. Matthew is the only Evangelist who mentions their presence, but all four use the word that emphasi…

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and…

St. John Chrysostom: It is a proof of the faith of these crowds that they endured hunger while waiting for the Lord, even unti…

Jesus alone multiplies the loaves and fishes. He gives the orders, gives thanks, and breaks the loaves (vv.18–19). The actions—looking up to heaven…

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men ,
&c.] The word "about", is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, in Mu…

When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any worldly advantages. The presenc…

After having excluded Herod’s opinion, here the Evangelist mentions the power of Christ’s doctrine. For its power is threefold: it feeds, it rescue…