John Gill Commentary Luke 9:16

"And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude." — Luke 9:16 (ASV)

Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes
Into his hands, being brought him by the disciples from the lad that had them:

and looking up to heaven :
to his Father there, from whom all the mercies and blessings of life come;

he blessed them ;
either asked, or commanded a blessing on them, that they might multiply and increase, that there might be a sufficiency for all the people, and that, they might be nourishing to them. Beza observes, that in his most ancient copy, it is read, "he blessed upon them"; which perfectly agrees with the Jewish way of speaking, (tph le Kdb) "he that blesseth upon the bread"; (Nyyh le Krb) "he that blesseth upon the wine"; and so upon the fruits of trees, and upon the fruits of the earth, and upon other things ^F19 ;

and brake;
the loaves, and divided the fishes into parts:

and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude ;
as they sat in ranks, and in their distinct companies.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F19: Misn. Beracot, c. 6. sect. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.