John Gill Commentary Matthew 8:18

"Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandments to depart unto the other side." — Matthew 8:18 (ASV)

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him
Who got together, partly out of novelty to see his person, of whom they had heard so much; and partly to see the miracles he performed: some came to have their bodily diseases healed; few, if any, to hear the Gospel preached by him, and for the good of their immortal souls: the most part came with some sinister, selfish, and carnal views, therefore

he gave commandment to depart unto the other side .
Different were the reasons, which at certain times moved Christ to depart from the multitude; as that he might have an opportunity of private prayer, or to preach, to others, or to show he did not seek popular applause, and to avoid seditions: his reasons here seem to be regarding himself, that being wearied as man, with the work of the day, he might have an opportunity of refreshing himself with sleep; regarding his disciples, that he might have a trial of their faith, when in danger at sea; and regarding the multitude, because of their carnality, and sole concern for their temporal, and worldly good.

The persons he gave commandment to, must be either the multitude, or the disciples; not the former, because he studiously avoided their company, and his concern was to be rid of them; but the latter, and so the Vulgate Latin and Munster's Hebrew Gospel read, "he commanded his disciples". The place he would have them go to was, the other side of the lake of Tiberias, or Genesareth; not over the river Euphrates, as says the author of the old Nizzachon ^F25 .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F25: Pesikta in Abkath Rochel, l. 1. par. 2. p. 205. Ed. Huls.