John Calvin Commentary Matthew 15:33

"And the disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude?" — Matthew 15:33 (ASV)

Whence shall we obtain so many loaves in a solitary place? The disciples show excessive stupidity in not remembering, at least, that earlier proof of Christ's power and grace, which they could have applied to the current situation. As if they had never seen anything similar, they forget to turn to him for help. Not a day passes when a similar indifference does not creep over us; and we should be all the more careful not to let our minds be drawn away from contemplating divine benefits, so that the experience of the past may lead us to expect for the future the same assistance that God has already, on one or more occasions, given to us.