MPV Commentary

In those days, the multitude being very great, Jesus had compassion on them because they had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat.

He asked his disciples, "If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way." The question was not about the possibility of feeding them, but rather a concern for their well-being. In Matthew's account (Matthew 15:32), Jesus says, "I will not send them away fasting," indicating his reluctance to let them go without being fed.

The disciples replied, "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?" They were acknowledging that they didn't have the means to feed such a large crowd. Jesus then asked them, "How many loaves have ye?" And they said, "Seven." The precise number of loaves was important for this miracle, just as it was for the feeding of the five thousand.

After the disciples had eaten and were about four thousand in number, Jesus sent them away. This event is distinct from the feeding of the five thousand, not only because of the different numbers involved but also due to various other factors such as the location, time, and circumstances surrounding each miracle.

The people sought a sign from heaven, testing Jesus with their request. They were not genuinely seeking evidence for their conviction but rather trying to entrap him. In Matthew's account (Matthew 16:2-3), Jesus responds by saying, "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather; for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day: for the sky is red and lowering [sullen, gloomy]. Hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" They were capable of observing natural phenomena but failed to recognize the spiritual signs pointing to Jesus' presence.

Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit, indicating the depth of his disappointment with their request. He said, "Why doth this generation seek after a sign? when they have had such abundant evidence already." There shall no sign be given unto this generation, as if to say that they were incapable of appreciating further demonstrations of God's power.

Jesus left them and entered into the ship again, departing to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to take bread with them, leaving only one loaf in the ship. Jesus charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." He was warning them against the corrupting influence of these groups' teachings.

The disciples reasoned among themselves, thinking that Jesus was concerned about their lack of bread. However, this was not the case. Jesus asked them, "Have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?" He reminded them of his previous miracles, specifically the feeding of the five thousand, where they had collected baskets full of fragments.

Jesus then went to Bethsaida, where a blind man was brought to him. The people begged Jesus to touch the man, and he took the blind man by the hand, leading him out of the town. He spat on his eyes and put his hands upon them, asking if he could see anything. The man replied, "I see men as trees walking." After a second application of Jesus' hands, the man's sight was fully restored.

Jesus instructed the man not to go into the town or tell anyone in the town about what had happened. This instruction would help the man avoid drawing attention to himself and allow him to focus on his newfound faith.