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Commentary on Matthew 15:32-39 by Dr. Knox Chamblin
THE FEEDING ITSELF. 15:32-39.
A. Parallels with 14:13-21.
We may note the following common features. On their significance, see
comments on 14:13-21.
1. Jesus' provision.
a. Jesus both heals and feeds members of the crowd.
b. The food is provided in an emergency.
c. Bread and fish are multiplied.
d. On each occasion, "they all ate and were satisfied" (the Greek of
14:20a is identical to that of 15:37a).
2. Jesus' appeal.
a. Jesus shows compassion for the people. (In 14:14, his
compassion is immediately associated with his healing ministry; in 15:32, with his
feeding the people.)
b. Jesus ministers to the crowd through the disciples.
c. The three aspects of Jesus' "visible parable" are again present.
B. The Distinctiveness of the Present Passage.
The most notable difference between the two passages, is that Jesus here ministers
to Gentiles. His compassion provides just as lavishly for them as it had for the
Jews. His Jewish followers (here represented by the disciples) are therefore, in
obedience to his example and command, to impart the Kingdom's blessings of the
Gentiles (cf. 28:19). In doing so, they may count on Jesus to supply the power
needed to multiply their resources (15:33-36). The threefold lesson of the loaves
is meant for Gentiles just as surely as for Jews.
Some consider that the difference between the Jewish setting of the first story and
the Gentile setting of the second, is heightened by the Evangelists' choice of
numbers. See the interesting (but to my mind, largely fanciful) discussion in Alan
Richardson, The Miracle Stories of the Gospels, 97-98.
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