SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:19
Y mandando a la multitud recostarse sobre la hierba, tomando los cinco panes y los dos peces, alzando los ojos al cielo, bendijo, y partiendo los panes los dio a los discípulos, y los discípulos a la multitud.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:19
Verse 19. And took the five loaves, &c.] This was the act of the father of a family among the Jews-his business it was to take the bread into his hands, and render thanks to God, before any of the family was permitted to taste of it. Looking up to heaven] To teach us to acknowledge GOD as the Supreme Good, and fountain of all excellence.
He blessed] The word God should, I think, be rather inserted here than the word them, because it does not appear that it was the loaves which Christ blessed, but that God who had provided them; and this indeed was the Jewish custom, not to bless the food, but the God who gave it.
However, there are others who believe the loaves are meant, and that he blessed them in order to multiply them. The Jewish form of blessing, or what we term grace, before and after meat, was as follows:-BEFORE MEAT : rah m jl axwmh lw[h lm wnyhla hta wrb Barnuc attah Elohinoo melec haolam hamoise lechem min haarets: Blessed art thou, our God, King of the universe, who bringest bread out of the earth! AFTER MEAT pgh yrp arwb lw[h lm wnyhla wrb Barnuc Elohinoo melec haolam bore peri hagephen: Blessed art thou, our God, King of the universe, the Creator of the fruit of the vine! And brake] We read often in the Scriptures of breaking bread, never of cutting it: because the Jews made their bread broad and thin like cakes, and to divide such, being very brittle, there was no need of a knife.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass , etc.] The other evangelists say, that he ordered the disciples to cause the people to sit down; both no doubt were done: the multitude were commanded to sit down by Christ, which, without his orders, they would never have done; and the disciples were enjoined to place them in form, by companies, in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties, that their number might be the better taken, and the food more orderly distributed by the apostles: and took the five loaves and the two fishes : into his hands, lifting them up, that they might be seen by the whole company; and they be fully convinced of the miracle going to be wrought by him: and looking up to heaven ; to his Father in heaven, who is the Father of mercies; and from whom every mercy and blessing of life comes; and giving thanks to him for the same, as was usually done by him, he blessed the five loaves and the two fishes; and brake the loaves, and divided the fishes; and gave the loaves , and fishes also, to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude ; who were the ministers and servants of Christ, employed by him in this manner, for the more orderly and quick dispatch of this business: and which was an emblem of their spiritual work and office: who received all their food from Christ, which they distributed to the churches, and fed them with.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-21 - When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any worldly advantages. The presence of Christ and his gospel, makes a desert not only tolerable but desirable. This little supply of bread was increased by Christ' creating power, till the whole multitude were satisfied. In seeking the welfare of men's souls, we should have compassion on their bodie likewise. Let us also remember always to crave a blessing on our meals and learn to avoid all waste, as frugality is the proper source of liberality. See in this miracle an emblem of the Bread of life, whic came down from heaven to sustain our perishing souls. The provisions of Christ's gospel appear mean and scanty to the world, yet they satisf all that feed on him in their hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ κελευσας 2753 5660 V-AAP-NSM τους 3588 T-APM οχλους 3793 N-APM ανακλιθηναι 347 5683 V-APN επι 1909 PREP τους 3588 T-APM χορτους 5528 N-APM και 2532 CONJ λαβων 2983 5631 V-2AAP-NSM τους 3588 T-APM πεντε 4002 A-NUI αρτους 740 N-APM και 2532 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM δυο 1417 A-NUI ιχθυας 2486 N-APM αναβλεψας 308 5660 V-AAP-NSM εις 1519 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM ουρανον 3772 N-ASM ευλογησεν 2127 5656 V-AAI-3S και 2532 CONJ κλασας 2806 5660 V-AAP-NSM εδωκεν 1325 5656 V-AAI-3S τοις 3588 T-DPM μαθηταις 3101 N-DPM τους 3588 T-APM αρτους 740 N-APM οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ μαθηται 3101 N-NPM τοις 3588 T-DPM οχλοις 3793 N-DPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Brake. As the Jewish loaves were thin cakes, a thumb's breadth in thickness, and more easily broken than cut.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:19 {To sit down on the grass} (anakliqenai epi tou cortou). "Recline," of course, the word means, first aorist passive infinitive. A beautiful picture in the afternoon sun on the grass on the mountain side that sloped westward. The orderly arrangement (Mark) made it easy to count them and to feed them. Jesus stood where all could see him "break" (klasas) the thin Jewish cakes of bread and give to the disciples and they to the multitudes. this is a nature miracle that some men find it hard to believe, but it is recorded by all four Gospels and the only one told by all four. It was impossible for the crowds to misunderstand and to be deceived. If Jesus is in reality Lord of the universe as John tells us (#Joh 1:1-18) and Paul holds (#Col 1:15-20), why should we balk at this miracle? He who created the universe surely has power to go on creating what he wills to do.
