Mark 6:38

38. go and see] In the interval between their going and return they learnt that a lad in their company had five barley loaves, and two small fishes, which they could secure for purchase. They were only barley loaves (Joh_6:9), the food even then, for the most part, of beasts, or of the poor and the unfortunate. Comp. 2Ki_7:1. The fact has an important bearing on Jdg_7:13.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he saith unto them, how many loaves have ye?.... This he said, not as ignorant, but as willing to try their faith yet more, and that the after miracle might be more manifest and illustrious:

go and see; meaning, either that they should examine their own store, if they had any; or rather go and see what was to be had upon the spot, among the company, for money;

and when they knew, they say five loaves and two fishes: when they had made inquiry what provisions there were, and the most that could be got at any rate, they tell him, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, particularly, that there was a boy among the multitude that had five barley loaves, and two small fishes; and, at the same time, suggests, that they were nothing for so great a company.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Ver. 38. {See Trapp on "Mat 14:17"} {See Trapp on "Joh 6:8"} {See Trapp on "Joh 6:9"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Five (loaves), and two fishes. St. John tells us (Joh_6:9) that the loaves were of barley, and that the fishes were small (oqaria); St. Mark says duo icyuav . Barley bread was considered an inferior and homely kind of food, very inferior to bread made of wheat flour. The comparative value of the two kinds of bread is given in Rev_6:6. "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny." The psalmist alludes to the greater excellence of wheat flour: "He would have fed them also with the finest wheat flour". (Psa_81:16)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

38. Πόσους ἔχετε ἄρτους; ὑπάγετε, ἴδετε. The question and abrupt commands are a rebuke. “Never mind what is impossible; see what is possible. How much food have we got?” In Jn the suggestion of buying comes from Christ. Mk alone records the question and commands. Mt. again omits what seems to imply a limitation of Christ’s knowledge and power. See on Mar 6:5. The rendering “loaves” must not be disturbed; but the ἄρτοι resembled biscuits or oatcake rather than our own loaves.

ὑπάγετε, ἴδετε. The asyndeton is characteristic; Mar 1:41, Mar 4:40, Mar 5:36, Mar 8:17-18, Mar 9:19, Mar 10:14.

γνόντες. Having ascertained. Jn is far more definite. Andrew had found a lad who had five barley loaves and two fishes, which seems to imply that the disciples had no food with them. Philip and Andrew, as coming from Bethsaida, would know people in the crowd and would have some idea of the resources of the neighbourhood. The Fathers often find mystical meanings in numbers and do so here with “five” and “two”; e.g. the five Books of the Law with the Psalms and the Prophets, or with the Gospel and the Apostle.

δύο ἰχθύας. Dried or salted fish were often eaten as a relish (ὀψώνιον, προσφάγιον) with bread, so much so that these words may mean “fish”; see on Joh 6:9; Joh 21:5. Cf. πᾶν τὸ ὄψος (? ὄψον) τῆς θαλάσσης (Num 11:22).

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

38. ὑπάγετε, ἴδετε—go, see.

Omit καὶ, and, between ὑπάγετε and ἴδετε Tisch. Treg. WH. RV. א BDL 1, 33, 102, 118, 240, 244, two mss. Lat. Vet. Memph. Pesh.

καὶ γνόντες—and having ascertained. The verb is used here in its inchoative sense to learn, instead of to know. The EV., and when they knew, leaves out the process which the Greek expresses.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.