John Calvin Commentary Matthew 14:15

"And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food." — Matthew 14:15 (ASV)

When the evening was drawing on. The disciples had now lost their immediate objective, and they saw that Christ was again absorbed in teaching, while the multitudes were so eager to receive instruction that they did not think of leaving. They therefore advise that, for the sake of attending to their physical needs, Christ should send them away into the neighboring villages.

He had purposely delayed until now the miracle which he intended to perform; first, so that his disciples might consider it more attentively, and might thus derive greater benefit from it; and next, so that the particular circumstances of the time might convince them that, though he does not prevent, and even does not immediately supply, the needs of his people, he never ceases to care for them, but always has at hand the assistance which he provides at the very moment it is needed.