Which when the people knew, they followed him: and he received them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and healed them who had need of healing.
οι δε οχλοι γνοντες ηκολουθησαν αυτω και δεξαμενος αυτους ελαλει αυτοις περι της βασιλειας του θεου και τους χρειαν εχοντας θεραπειας ιατο
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries
As He welcomed the crowds, He instructed and performed healings, so that you might understand that our integrity is manifested in both speech and action. Just as we ought not to utter what is unseemly, we should refrain from behaving in a manner that is absurd to discuss.
In my view, the Jewish people lack any valid arguments to present before God regarding their disobedience, as there was no rational basis for their resistance. Why is this so? Because the law of Moses, through its foreshadowing and symbolism, pointed them toward the mystery of Christ. The law itself, and its content, served as a type, illustrating the mystery of Christ much like a work of art. Additionally, the holy prophets had previously prophesied that the Redeemer would come at the appointed time, revealing not only the location of His earthly birth but also the miraculous acts He would perform. Yet, despite this, they were stubborn and their minds were disordered, fixated on their own biases, resulting in their failure to heed the guidance they received.
Even the magnificent miracles displayed before them did not lead them to obedience. Such was their response; however, let us, who recognize the truth of His coming, glorify Him for His divine acts, as exemplified in this account. This passage indicates that our Savior frequently departed from Jerusalem and various towns, accompanied by throngs of people. Some sought liberation from the oppression of demonic forces or healing from their illnesses, while others came thirsting for His teachings, remaining eagerly by His side to deepen their understanding of His holy doctrines.
When the woman representing the Church was restored from her flow of blood, and the apostles were sent to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God, Christ began to share the sustenance of divine grace. This nourishment is not given to those who remain idle or are caught up in worldly pursuits, such as those in the synagogue or seeking earthly honors, but rather to those who earnestly search for Christ in the wilderness. Christ welcomes those who approach Him with humility and lack of self-satisfaction, offering them God's Word, which speaks not of worldly matters but of the Kingdom of God. If they still carry the burdens of their earthly desires, He willingly grants them healing.
Thus, those whom He has healed from their afflictions, He also nourishes with spiritual sustenance, for one cannot partake of Christ’s bread without first being healed. This is illustrated in the parable where those invited to the banquet arrive before they have been healed. If a person was lame, they received the strength to walk so they could attend the feast; if they were blind, their sight was restored, for without it, one cannot enter the house of the Lord.
A certain order is maintained: first, through forgiveness of sins, afflictions are mended, after which the heavenly banquet is made abundant. However, this multitude has not yet partaken of solid nourishment, nor has the Body and Blood of Christ entered into their hearts, which lack strong faith. As it is written, "I fed you with milk, and not with solid food, for you were not able to receive it, and even now you are not able." The five loaves are akin to milk, while the Body of Christ represents the solid food, and His Blood is the stronger drink. We don't begin by consuming everything at once; first, we drink of the Word, as Scripture states. There is a sequence: first, five loaves; later, seven.
Let us not turn away from the Lord, who graciously provides according to our capacity. The hearty fare is not burdensome to the strong, just as the gentle fare does not leave the weak unsatisfied, for the weak may partake of vegetables. Those who have moved beyond their frailty can partake of the five loaves and two fish. If they hesitate to ask for sustenance, they should abandon their own hindrances, turn to the Word of God, and upon hearing it, they will find fulfillment. The apostles identified a man in need, though they didn't fully grasp his hunger; Christ, however, understood that he craved not the food of this world, but the nourishment only He can provide. He said, "I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." The Lord desires effort from us, yet He also endows us with strength.
Oh, Lord Jesus, may You grant these men sustenance, filling them with Your nourishment so that they might not fear the frailty of hunger! If You would say regarding us, "I do not want to let them go hungry," show us why. You have already revealed your reason: if anyone goes hungry, they will faint on their journey, losing strength before reaching the culmination of life, before embracing You, the Christ who was sent from the Father and descended into the world.
To prevent them from becoming weary on their path, He commanded, "Give them something to eat." They replied, "We possess only five loaves and two fish; should we purchase food for all these people?" The apostles had yet to realize that the bread of the faithful is not a commodity. Christ knew well that we need redemption, and His food cannot be bought. While the disciples lacked food that could redeem us, they already possessed sustenance that could empower us, for “bread strengthens the heart of man.” Thus, the Lord is compassionate, ensuring that no one falters on their journey.
If anyone feels weary, it is not due to the Lord; rather, it is because of oneself. You cannot blame the Lord who remains steadfast in His judgment. What will you say to Him who has endowed you with strength? Did He not create you and nourish you? His sustenance is invigorating; His provision is powerful. If you squander the strength you've been granted through negligence, it indicates a deficiency in your own soul, not in the divine food provided. The Lord bestows His grace upon both the righteous and the unrighteous.
By the virtue of sacred sustenance, Elijah, though weary, traveled for forty days, sustained by food given to him by an angel. However, if Christ feeds you and you safeguard the nourishment received, you will not merely walk for forty days, but rather, like examples from Scripture, for forty years after departing from Egypt until you reach a land overflowing with abundance, which the Lord promised to deliver to His people. Seek the strength of that promised land, which belongs to the gentle. I do not refer to this parched earth, but to that which Christ nurtures, a realm ruled by the eternal Sovereign, inhabited by many saints.
Thus, the Lord Jesus provides sustenance, denying no one. When He breaks the bread and distributes it to His disciples, if you do not extend your hand to receive, you risk weakening on your journey, and cannot cast blame on the One who shows mercy. He distributes to those who remain with Him even in the wilderness, as it is written, "I have compassion for the crowd, for they have been with me three days." What great mercy and compassion He displays! He does not wish to send them away hungry, fearing they might grow faint on their journey.
Do not grow weary of God’s teachings, nor become disheartened by His rebukes. Do not let fatigue overwhelm you now, lest you find yourself powerless later. What will you offer Him or how will you justify yourself if you neglect the strength of the nourishment He provides? You cannot argue that He has withheld sustenance, for He offers it to everyone. You cannot assert that He is unwilling to guide you in goodness, having placed before you the choice between good and evil, allowing your virtuous choices to be freely made rather than compelled.
There is a distinct difference between acting against your will out of necessity and choosing goodness willingly, for should you undertake your duties involuntarily, you are merely fulfilling an obligation, while voluntary actions invite reward. Remember, we will stand before Christ for judgment, having nothing to offer as justification. He will question us as He has declared through the prophet, "My people, what have I done to you? In what way have I wearied you? Answer Me!" He will inquire of the one who becomes weary on their path, "Why are you faltering? Have I not created the loaves, blessed them, and commanded their distribution? Why did you not wish to receive them?" How many here will feel weary on their journey after these teachings? They should be treated as nourishment, for no one can claim Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit. How many, I wonder, will become weary and, led by their desires, stray into the misguided paths? If even one does! Yet, Jesus is not to blame for the weariness, even if but one person feels it. He distributes bread to all who follow Him, whether it is five thousand or four thousand.
Following the healing of the one who embodies the Church and the commissioning of the apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, the gift of divine grace is bestowed. However, it is essential to recognize the recipients of this grace: not the indifferent, nor those who dwell in the city as if it were a house of worship, or among the allurements of worldly splendor, but rather those who pursue Christ in desolation. Truly, those who are open to His call are embraced by Christ, and the message of the Lord speaks not of earthly matters but of the heavenly kingdom. Moreover, for those afflicted with physical maladies, He generously offers His healing balm. Thus, He satisfies the hunger of those healed from their suffering with the sustenance of the spirit.
Consequently, one cannot partake of Christ’s nourishment without first experiencing healing, and those invited to partake in the feast must first receive an invitation to receive restoration. If a person was unable to walk, they gained the strength to walk in order to come; likewise, one whose sight was dim could not enter the Lord’s dwelling without having their vision renewed.
Upon recognizing Him, the crowd began to follow Him. In verse 10, it is noted that when He welcomed them, He shared with them about the kingdom of God and healed those in need of restoration. This is elaborated upon in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, where it states, "And Jesus went out and saw a multitude of people, and had compassion on them."
As the crowds journeyed from cities to Jerusalem in anticipation of the upcoming festival, the spread of Jesus' teachings, along with the death of John, heightened their regard for Him, resulting in ever-increasing numbers gathering around Him daily. The Lord, however, had no intention of making His way to Jerusalem, for His time had yet to arrive (John 7:6, 8). With Herod's intentions and the need to reassure His disciples in mind, He chose to retreat with them to a quiet place—Bethsaida, situated across the Lake of Galilee. This town, part of the Gavaonitis region, was under the jurisdiction of His brother Philip rather than Herod Antipas (Luke 9:10). They sailed across the lake, while the people trailed along the shoreline.
Realizing that their efforts to escape were futile, the Lord began to teach the people about the Kingdom of Heaven and compassionately healed the sick among them. As daylight waned, the crowd remained with Him, even though they had not eaten.
In the account given by Luke, Jesus and His disciples were traveling toward the village of Bethsaida. The Gospel writers do not specify the duration of this journey; however, based on Mark's narrative, it can be inferred that the crowd left behind along the lake's edge pursued the boat carrying Jesus and His disciples. This crowd grew as more individuals from nearby towns came to join them, ultimately reaching the location ahead of the boat and alerting them. Upon seeing the large gathering on the shore, Jesus felt unable to proceed to Bethsaida. His heart was moved with compassion for the people, who were like sheep without a shepherd. He instructed that the boat be brought to land, disembarked, and began to teach the multitude extensively. Luke also notes that He healed those who sought His restoration.
The boat, seemingly hindered by an adverse wind, made its way slowly along the coastline, and upon reaching its destination, it became clear that their initial goal had not been fulfilled. Some individuals had arrived ahead of them and were already assembling at the dock when the vessel landed upon the rugged shore. In the distance, there was also a throng of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, as the celebration of Passover was approaching. Drawn by the rising renown of the esteemed prophet, they diverged from their intended route to join the other seekers. Moved by compassion, Christ saw that they were like sheep in search of a shepherd. He and His disciples ascended the hillside and awaited the gathering crowd. Then, descending to the people, He taught them, proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of heaven, and performed healings for the afflicted.
Luke provides a narrative of the Lord's retreat to a secluded area and the miraculous provision for the crowds. This account stands as a balanced version when compared to Matthew and Mark; it is more detailed than Matthew's concise retelling yet less extensive than Mark's comprehensive portrayal. While it does not introduce new elements to the narrative, it specifies that the desolate location was near Bethsaida (Julia), situated to the northeast of the Lake of Gennesaret, close to the eastern bank of the Jordan River. Overall, Luke's telling aligns closely with the accounts given by the first two Evangelists. See note on Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44.
Verses 10 and 11 draw a comparison. Refer to Mark 6:31 and 32.
The apostles returned after their ministry and shared with Christ the Savior all that they had preached and accomplished. After a period of diligent labor, they sought to find rest, but the throng of individuals eager to see and hear the Lord was so immense that they scarcely had a moment to eat. Sending the disciples ahead to a remote location without the crowd, Jesus intended to join them Himself. One immediate reason for this trip was the report of His Forerunner's martyrdom, as it was not yet the appointed time for Him to fully reveal Himself (John 7:5). To avoid any potential peril from Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, He chose to withdraw to the territory of His brother Philip, near Bethsaida.
This town is situated at the northeastern edge of the Sea of Galilee, close to where the Jordan River enters the sea. Unlike the hometown of the apostles, which also bore the name Bethsaida, this particular locality was known as Bethsaida of Julia, named after the daughter of Emperor Augustus. As they boarded the boat, it set course for the quiet surroundings of this city. However, the crowd spotted them leaving; many recognized Him and informed others, so people from all surrounding towns hurried along the shore, aiming to catch up with the boat. Upon disembarking, Jesus encountered a vast multitude awaiting Him. Moved with compassion for them, as they were like sheep without a shepherd, He began to teach them about the kingdom of God and healed those who were infirm among them. Afterward, He ascended the mountain with His disciples and took a seat, while the people continued to approach Him, and as time passed, evening began to approach.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 22 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS