This He does that He may put away from them all care for food. But why did He not reprove them, when they said, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness?” for that seemed a more fitting occasion. He did not blame them at that time that He might not seem to be by that urged on to do miracles, and He was unwilling to find fault with them before the people.
Also there was more reason in the charge, when after two miracles of multiplication of loaves, they had anxiety about food. Observe with what mildness He rebukes them; He makes an excuse in answer Himself, saying, “Do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves?”
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).