And Jesus went forth
Either from the mountain where he sat with his disciples, (
John 6:3 ) or out
of the desert, where he had retired for secrecy; or out of the
ship, which seems best, the company having got thither before his
landing:
and saw a great multitude;
for, there were about five thousand men, beside women and
children, ( Matthew
14:21 )
and was moved with compassion toward them:
partly on account of their bodily infirmities, which were very
many and great; and partly on account of the bad situation they
were in, through want of spiritual pastors to feed them with the
bread of life; for Mark gives this as the reason, moving his
compassion, "because they were as sheep, not having a shepherd":
all which shows the truth of Christ's human nature; proves him to
be a merciful high priest, and one truly concerned for both the
bodies and souls of men:
and he healed their sick;
which they brought along with them, and that without the use of
any medicine, by a word speaking: so that as the former phrase
gives proof of his humanity, this attests his divinity: but this
was not all he did, he not only healed their bodies, but he
taught them the doctrines of the Gospel; and spake to them
concerning the kingdom of God, for the good of their souls, as
the other evangelists relate.