EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)
(19-20)
How many baskets . . .?—The words for “baskets” are, as has been said, different in the two verses. (See Note on
Matthew 15:37.)
8:11-21 Obstinate unbelief will have something to say, though ever so unreasonable. Christ refused to answer their demand. If they will not be convinced, they shall not. Alas! what cause we have to lament for those around us, who destroy themselves and others by their perverse and obstinate unbelief, and enmity to the gospel! When we forget the works of God, and distrust him, we should chide ourselves severely, as Christ here reproves his disciples. How is it that we so often mistake his meaning, disregard his warnings, and distrust his providence?
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees - See
Matthew 16:6.
Of Herod - Of the Herodians - of Herod and his followers. Matthew, instead of "Herod," has "the Sadducees." It is not improbably that he cautioned them against them all. The Pharisees sought his life, and were exceedingly corrupt in their doctrine and practice; the Sadducees denied some of the essential doctrines of religion, and the Herodians probably were distinguished for irreligion, sensuality, and corrupt living. They were united, therefore, with the Pharisees and Sadducees in opposing the claims of Jesus. Matthew has recorded his caution to avoid the Pharisees and Sadducees, and Mark has added, what Matthew had omitted. the caution likewise to beware of the Herodians. Thus, the evangelists speak the same thing.
19. When I brake the five loaves among five thousand—"the five thousand."
how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? &c.
See Poole on "Mark 8:14"
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand,.... This, with what follows, chiefly regards the last question:
how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? do not you remember? have you forgot what was so lately done? surely you cannot:
they say unto him, twelve. Their memories were hereby refreshed, and they call to mind the exact number of the baskets of fragments that were taken up, which were above double the number of the loaves, the multitude were fed with.
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
