“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
This passage of story, concerning Christ's feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, is recorded by all the four Evangelists, which very few, if any, of Christ's miracles are: this intimates that there is something in it worthy of special remark. Observe, I. The great resort of people to Christ, when he was retired into a desert place, Mat 14:13.
Commenting on Matthew 14:13-21
And they say unto him,.... In order to excuse themselves, and to show the impossibility of feeding such a large number of people; we have here but five loaves; and these barley ones, coarse bread; and two fishes; small ones, which were dried and salted, and fit for present eating; which they either brought along with them for their own refreshment, or rather, were brought...
Verse 17. We have here but five loaves, etc. These loaves were in the possession of a lad, or young man, who was with them, and were made of barley, . It is possible that this lad was one in attendance on the apostles to carry their food; but it is most probable he was one who had provision to sell among the multitude.