Matthew 15:38

³⁷They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.³⁸A total of four thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.

Sermons

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand Mark 7:31-8:10

David Servant

The Union and Communion With Christ

J.C. Philpot

Summary

In this verse, Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of four thousand people with just seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. This event showcases Jesus' compassion and power as the provider for the physical needs of the people. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and ability to abundantly supply all that His children require. The miracle points to Jesus as the true Bread of Life who satisfies not only physical hunger but also spiritual hunger. The abundance of leftovers highlights God's generosity and sufficiency in meeting the needs of His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he sent away the multitude,.... Dismissing them, either with a prayer for them, or with a suitable word of exhortation, to be thankful for the mercies, both spiritual and temporal, they had received, and behave agreeably in their lives and conversations: and took ship; being near the sea side, the sea of Galilee, and came into the coasts of Magdala: not far from Tiberias; for often mention is made of Magdala in the Talmud (s), along with Tiberias, and Chammath, another place in the same neighbourhood; and was famous for some Rabbins, as R. Joden and R. Isaac (t), who are said to be "of Magdala". Thus the Syriac version reads it Magedo, and the Vulgate Latin Magedan; and Beza says, in one Greek exemplar it is read Magadan; and some have thought it to be the same with Megiddo, where Josiah was slain by Pharaohnecho, and which Herodotus calls Magdolos (u). The Evangelist Mark says, that he came into the parts of Dalmanutha, which was a place within the coasts of Magdala. This was not the place, but another of the same name near Jerusalem, from whence Mary Magdalene may be thought to have her name. The Ethiopic version renders it, "they went into a ship, and departed into the mountains of Magdala"; that is, Christ, and his disciples. (s) T. Hieros. Sheviith, fol. 38. 4. Maaserot, fol. 50. 3. Erubin, fol. 21. 4. (t) T. Hieros. Taanith, fol. 64. 3. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 81. 2. & Nidda, fol. 33. 1. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 4. 4. (u) I. 2. c. 159. Next: Matthew Chapter 16

Matthew 15:38

The Feeding of the Four Thousand

³⁷They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.³⁸A total of four thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.