And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”
We had the story of a miracle very like this before, in this gospel (Mar 6:35), and of this same miracle (Mat 15:32), and here is little or no addition or alternation as to the circumstances. Yet observe, 1. That our Lord Jesus was greatly followed; The multitude was very great (Mar 8:1); notwithstanding the wicked arts of the scribes and Pharisees to blemish him...
Commenting on Mark 8:1-9
And his disciples answered him,.... The Syriac version renders it, "say unto him"; and the Persic and Ethiopic, "said unto him"; forgetting the late miracle of feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, when they had now a less number, and more provisions: from whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
etc. - See on Mat 14:14 (note); Mat 15:35.