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Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Verse Takeaways
1
The True Crowd Size
Commentators highlight that the "five thousand men" was a specific count that, following Jewish custom, did not include women and children. Scholars estimate the total crowd was likely between 10,000 and 20,000 people, making the miracle even more stupendous in scale.
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Matthew
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10
18th Century
Presbyterian
Five thousand men, besides, etc. Probably the number might have been ten thousand. To feed so many was an act of great benevolence, and a …
Beside women and children (χωρις γυναικων κα παιδιων). Perhaps on this occasion there were not so many as usual because of the rus…
19th Century
Anglican
Beside women and children — St. Matthew is the only Evangelist who mentions their presence, but all four use the word that emphasi…
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Baptist
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and…
Jesus alone multiplies the loaves and fishes. He gives the orders, gives thanks, and breaks the loaves (vv.18–19). The actions—looking up to heaven…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men , &c.] The word "about", is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, in Mu…
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When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any worldly advantages. The presenc…
13th Century
Catholic
After having excluded Herod’s opinion, here the Evangelist mentions the power of Christ’s doctrine. For its power is threefold: it feeds, it rescue…
