Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 15:36

"and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes." — Matthew 15:36 (ASV)

He did as He had done before. His way is perfect and so there was no need for altering it. “He took the seven loaves and the fishes.” They only made one handful for Him. This shows us that our slender abilities must be placed at His disposal and in His wonderworking hands.

He does not disdain to carry the bread and the fish, though He bears up both heaven and earth. His giving thanks at an outdoor meal should teach us not to eat without thanksgiving.

The breaking teaches that there must be an expenditure of talent and that there should be a crumbing down of truth to suit human mouths. His giving the provision into many hands shows that nothing is to be retained in store, but all must be distributed among the many.

Our Lord Jesus again honored His disciples by making them the servants by whom He reached the multitude. Lord, use us, for if we have neither loaf nor fish, we have willing hands.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

I think I see him rising from the place where he sat, and saying, "Now you have been standing up and you are all hungry, sit down all of you." What a sight to see them all dropping into their places.

According to Mark they fell into order by rank, by hundreds and by fifties. What a Commander-in-Chief Christ is. When he makes a banquet it is not a scramble, it is always orderly, and when there is anything very disorderly it is generally because Christ is not there; if he is there, everything seems to fit into its place.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Notice the order of our Lord's action, thanksgiving first, and then the breaking of the bread. We do not always thank God for what we have already received, but the Lord here sets us the example of giving thanks for what is yet to come. For the multiplied loaves and fishes, he first gives thanks, and then passes them to his disciples to hand to the multitude.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

"They did all eat and were filled." I remember a country brother putting it, " And they did all eat," which I think is very likely; they were very hungry: they did all eat, and were filled; they were ravenous, but they were not stinted.