Matthew 15:36 (WEB)
and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
Catechism · 2
“The Breaking of Bread, because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meat when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 14:19; 15:36; Mk 8:6, 19.
“The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 14:13-21; 15:32-39.
Fathers and councils · 19
Augustine of Hippo
“Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat,” and so on, down to the words, “And they that did eat were four thousand men, besides women and children.”” — editor's note: Matt. xv. 29–38.
Read the whole comment“…yet there were some works that Christ did which none other man did: as, when He fed the five thousand men with five loaves, and the four thousand with seven; when He walked on the waters, and gave Peter power to do the same; when He changed the water into wine; when He opened the eyes of a man that was born blind,…” — editor's note: Matt. xiv. 15–21, and xv. 32–38.
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John Chrysostom
“And He took the seven loaves, and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”” — editor's note: Matt. xv. 35, 36. [The imperfect ἐδδου, “kept giving,” is found here, against the rec. text.—R.]
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Jerome
“But of the two multitudes miraculously supplied in the Gospel the larger was fed upon barley loaves, and the smaller on corn bread.” — editor's note: Matt. xiv. 15–21; xv. 32–38. Cf. Joh. vi. 5–13.
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Ephrem the Syrian
“The seven loaves also that He brake failed, and the five loaves too that He multiplied were consumed; the Bread that He brake exceeded the world’s needs, for the more it was divided, the more it multiplied exceedingly.” — editor's note: Mat. xv. 36.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Christ first took away the infirmities of the sick, and afterwards supplied food to them that had been healed. Also He calls His disciples to tell them what He is about to do; “Then Jesus called his disciples unto…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For the multitude when they came to be healed, had not dared to ask for food, but He that loveth man, and hath care of all creatures, gives it to them unasked; whence He says, “I have compassion upon the multitude.”…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
As we have spoken of this above, it would be tedious to repeat what has been already said; we shall therefore only dwell on those particulars in which this differs from the former.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
The end of the two miracles is different; “And they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. Now they that had eaten were four thousand men, besides children and women.” Whence are the fragments…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
In this Gospel lection we must consider in Christ the work of His humanity, and of His divinity. In that He has compassion on the multitudes, He shews that He has feeling of human frailty; in the multiplication of…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Surely it will not be out of place to suggest upon this miracle, that if any of the Evangelists who had not given the miracle of the five loaves had related this of the seven loaves, he would have been supposed to…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
As that first multitude which He fed answers to the people among the Jews that believed; so this is compared to the people of the gentiles, the number of four thousand denoting an innumerable number of people out of…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For these are not five, but four thousand; the number four being one always used in a good sense, and a four-sided stone is firm and rocks not, for which reason the Gospels also have been sacredly bestowed in this…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, they spend the whole time of the Lord’s passion with the Lord; either because when they should come to baptism, they would confess that they believed in His passion and resurrection; or, because through the whole…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, this is said because in all time there have only been three periods when grace was given; the first, before the Law; the second, under the Law; the third, under grace; the fourth, is in heaven, to which as we…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, because correcting by penitence the sins that they have committed, in thought, word, and deed, they turn to the Lord. These multitudes the Lord would not send away fasting, that they should not faint by the way;…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
The seven loaves are the Scripture of the New Testament, in which the grace of the Holy Spirit is revealed and given. And these are not as those former loaves, barley, because it is not with these, as in the Law,…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
The multitudes sit down on the ground; for before they had not reposed on the works of the Law, but they had supported themselves on their own sins, as men standing on their feet.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, they sit down there [margin note: xiv, 19] on the grass, that the desires of the flesh may be controlled, here on the ground, because the earth itself is commanded to be left. Or, the mountain in which the Lord…
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Cross-references · 2
Parallel passages
Matthew 15:36 and Mark 8:6 share the same wording (10 words).
Cited together with
Cited together in Glossa Ordinaria on Matthew 15:32–38 (2) (Catena Aurea).