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| 1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, |
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| 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
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| 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
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| 4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? |
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| 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye?
And they said, Seven. |
Loaves – The same as used in Palestine today, about the size of our large buns and made of the entire wheat, ground. R5104:5
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| 6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. |
He took the seven – The disciples gave their all for the feeding of the multitude, and all had sufficient. R5104:5
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| 7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. |
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| 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. |
And were filled – Quite possibly some of us would find ourselves equally healthy and strong on similarly plain food. Let us exercise faith in God and partake of our daily bread with thankful hearts. R5104:5
That was left – The Master displayed frugality and encouraged economy on the part of his followers. R5104:5
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| 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. |
About four thousand – Yet when tempted in the wilderness, he refused to use divine power to satisfy his own hunger. F650
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| 10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. |
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| 11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. |
Pharisees came forth – Considering Jesus a competitor and a successful one; and fearing, not without a cause, that their own reputations as teachers were becoming tarnished because of Jesus' superiority as a teacher. R5111:1
A sign from heaven – Hence, belittling the many signs he was giving the people in the healing of the sick, etc. R5111:1
Tempting him – To find fault. R5111:1
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| 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
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No sign be given – Matthew 16:2-4 gives a more detailed account of the answer--that there would be one sign given that nation, but not until Calvary--the sign of Jonah. R5111:3
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| 13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. |
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| 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. |
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| 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
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Take heed – God's Word is truth, the bread upon which his people are to feed. But they are to use the unleavened bread--pure bread, pure truth, unmixed with the leaven of human philosophy. R5111:4
Be on the look out for, and avoid it. R5111:4
Beware – A necessary caution because the Pharisees were the most holy sect amongst the Jews, and the most zealous and gifted Jews would naturally be attracted to that sect. R5111:4
Of the leaven – Leaven (yeast) is a ferment which spreads, especially in dough for bread. R5111:4
A symbol of an evil influence. R5390:2
Leaven is corruption, an element of decay, hence a type of sin and death. R5192:4; T98
The corruption of human theory, blight, ambitions, selfishness, etc. F464
Let us stand free from all "leaven" in all the various creeds. R5111:4
No matter how holy any denomination of Christians may claim to be and seem to be, we are to beware of their leaven, their false doctrine. R5111:4
Of the Pharisees – Its bread, its truth was intermingled with human traditions which would make sick and dyspeptic, and to that extent poison all the minds which received it. R5111:4
The Pharisees in the Jewish harvest picture the great religious rulers of nominal Christendom in the present harvest. C152
Of Herod – Typifying the kings of the earth: civil government. B261; R2280:4, 1754:4
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| 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. |
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| 17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
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Perceive ye not – Their mental eyes, their eyes of understanding, were not very widely open. R5111:5
Neither understand – Today, in Bible study, frequently the spirit of our Lord's teachings is often missed altogether by some whose minds center merely around some little incidental. R5111:6
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| 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
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| 19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?
They say unto him, Twelve. |
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| 20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?
And they said, Seven. |
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| 21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
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Ye do not understand – Jesus was not finding fault with their having only one loaf; he still had power to produce bread. R5111:5
Similarly, in Bible study today, the spirit of our Lord's teaching is often missed because of some little incidental. R5111:6
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| 22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. |
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| 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. |
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| 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. |
Men as trees – Truth is breaking through the clouds of tradition and error. Many are beginning to see dim outlines as did the physically blind one. R795:2
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| 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. |
After that – As some were healed gradually, as here, and others instantly (Matt. 8:14, 15), so likewise we may expect diversities in the operation of restitution now beginning. R759:3
Again – Probably the man lacked faith and Jesus was gradually developing it in him. R5111:6
Made him look up – He looked steadily and kept looking for some time, and then declared that he could see everything clearly. R5111:6
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| 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
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| 27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
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Jesus went out – Probably toward the close of his third year of ministry. R3339:2
He asked his disciples – The time had come to prepare them for the ignominy and death which he knew to be in store for him. R3339:3
Whom do men say – Our Lord was drawing out the apostles, to crystalize in their minds the thought which he knew was already forming. R3339:6
Apparently, John the Baptist knew the most respecting our Lord's mission, as indicated by his query, "Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?" (Matt. 11:3) R3339:3
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| 28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets. |
Some say, Elias – Showing that the public mind was being exercised, was noting that he was not an imposter. R3339:6
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| 29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. |
Whom say ye – Implying that they were separated in his mind from the rest of the people, and should have a clearer knowledge of him than others. R3339:6
Jesus had been with his disciples working miracles for probably two years before he asked them. R5767:5
For a considerable period of his ministry our Lord did not declare himself, even to his disciples, to be the Messiah. R5120:1, 3339:2
What think ye of Messiah? What think ye of his invitation to become his associates? What think ye of the cost of self-denial, self-sacrifice? What think ye of the great reward? R5120:6
And Peter – Probably the eldest of the disciples and their spokesman. R3339:6
Thou art the Christ – God's Anointed One: Hebrew, the Messiah. R3339:6, 5120:6
Without political or social influence, without wealth, name or fame as a leader or commander of the people, or a general of armies, he would have been regarded as mentally unbalanced to have made such a claim. R3339:6
More than a good man and able Teacher; but "the man Christ Jesus" who gave himself a ransom for all, of extraordinary birth, the Redeemer of the world and anointed as the great King, Prophet and Priest, whose kingdom shall be under the whole heavens. (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) R5120:5
It was better that people should claim it for him than that he claim the honor for himself. R5120:1
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| 30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
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Tell no man – To have proclaimed it in a general way might have created more or less of insurrection, and might have hindered the carrying out of the divine arrangement respecting his ignominious death. R3340:1, 3790:1
They could still proclaim the kingdom of heaven at hand, they could still speak of Jesus as the great Teacher and man, they could still wonder as to whom he might be. R3340:2
Of him – The proper time for making him known as the Messiah would be after he had finished the work of sacrifice which the Father had given him to do. R3340:2
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| 31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. |
And he began – Following the Lord's method, inquirers should first be instructed respecting the goodness, love and mercy of God, the redemption, and the glorious times of restitution, before being informed of the self-sacrifices of the "narrow way." R3340:5
Implying that thereafter this was frequently a subject for discussion and consideration between him and them. R3340:3
To teach them – For the first time intimating to them that their surmises on the subject were correct--that he was more than Elijah, Jeremiah or any of the prophets--that he was the long-promised Messiah. R3340:1
How the kingdom would be formally proffered to the Jews, how they would reject him, he would be killed and after three days rise again. R5120:1, 3340:2
The deep things of the divine plan are revealed to us only as we have confessed Christ. R3340:3
The same Lord is still teaching line upon line, precept upon precept, as we are able to bear the truth; and our preparedness for it will be proportionate to our nearness and fellowship with him. R3340:3
Must suffer many things – Testings of faith and loyalty to God are as necessary to Jesus' followers as they were to himself. PD76/90
And be killed – They must be prepared in advance for his shameful death, else it would prove such a shock to their faith that they could not recover from it, neither believe in his resurrection. R3340:2
After three days – Representing the last part of the fifth, all of the sixth, and the early part of the seventh thousand-year day. R3375:3
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| 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. |
Saying openly – Before the entire twelve apostles. R3340:3
And Peter – In his love for the Master, and intoxicated somewhat by the honors bestowed upon him already, undertook to be the teacher. R3790:2
Possibly elated by our Lord's words of commendation that the Father had revealed the matter to him. R3340:3
Many privileged to confess the Lord before men have stumbled over their own honor and exaltation. R3790:2
We are to listen to his Word, and not attempt to correct our Lord or substitute our own ideas. R3790:2
Took him – Apart from the others. R2658:4
The only one with sufficient courage to express himself. R5120:2
And began – Peter did not get to finish. The Master hastened to repudiate such a disloyal suggestion. R2658:4
To rebuke him – Privately whispering to him that such sentiments should not be introduced or expressed before the apostles, that it would be discouraging to them all. R3340:3
Showing that the disciples clearly understood the statement about his death. R5120:2
How could he be the Messiah, and yet suffer death at the hands of his enemies? R3340:2
Insisting (as some do today) that the Lord's cause must conquer the world, as a result of their preaching. D654
This testing was about the Passover season, the time when the Lord's people seem to be in greatest danger of stumbling. R3178:3
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| 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
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He rebuked Peter – Be not many of you teachers, brethren, knowing that a man who is a teacher has severer trials, temptations. (James 3:1) R3790:2
Get thee behind me, Satan – Adversary, opposing spirit--in opposition to God and to all in harmony with God. F611; R5427:1
A hinderer of the work. R3790:3
In this course St. Peter was opposing the divine will and plan, of which the death of Jesus was the very center or hub. R5120:2
His servants ye are to whom ye render service. (Rom. 6:16) R3340:4
Jesus perceived that these influences were striving to hinder the consummation of his sacrifice, even as Satan tried to do in the beginning of his consecration. R5120:2
Afterward all of the disciples seem to have gradually settled down to a realization that the glories of the kingdom were still remote, and that the Master must go away. D564
Thou savourest not – Thy words savor not of God's plan, but of human judgment and preference. R5120:2
That be of God – Divine wisdom. R3340:4, 3790:3
That be of men – Human wisdom. R3340:4, 3790:3
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| 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
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Whosoever – Addressed to those who were already, in some sense of the word at least, disciples. R3235:6
Catholics and Protestants agree that only saints, the Little Flock, the elect, are fit for heaven when they die. HG215:4
Will come after me – Our Lord's life was an illustration. R3790:3
Be my disciple, my follower, my sheep. R5654:1, 3236:4
Let him deny himself – Sacrifice himself, his personal interests, ambitions, etc. R3846:4
Kill his will outright, not merely hack and mutilate it. The desire to give up our own will and accept God's will must be a joy, a pleasure. To be acceptable to God, it must be no cross to us. "I delight to do thy will, O my God." (Psa. 40:8) R3237:2, 1
Self-denial is the first step--self-renunciation, giving up of the will to God. R5654:1; Q399
In their hearts they must give up all else; being glad to forsake all actually if the door of opportunity opened to them. R4557:4
"If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him." (2 Tim. 2:11) R2615:6
Take up his cross – Having counted the cost of discipleship. R3235:6
Endurance of trials, difficulties, disappointments --the crossing of the human will and preferences. R3236:4
It is our good human wills (not actually perfect, as our Lord's, but reckonedly so through his imputed merit) that are to be crucified, delivered up to death. R961:5
Figurative of crucified. R960:2
In the sense of being sacrificed, even of earthly interests. Q399
If Christ's crucifixion was not the crucifixion of a sinful will and desires, neither is ours as followers of the spotless Lamb of God, crucified with him. R961:4
Actual, literal crucifixion signifies to deliver up to a torturous, slow, but sure death. The figurative closely resembles this. R960:2
And follow me – "Walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." (Rom. 8:4) R3237:5
This is the condition. In no other way will Jesus become our Advocate. R5775:5
This is the class, typified by Israel, who have entered the antitypical Canaan, who are fighting the good fight. R5351:4
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| 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
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For whosoever – This principle is applicable to the Church only, during this age. The rule will be the reverse for the world during the Millennium. R4536:4
Will save his life – Greek: psuche; soul, being. E335; R248:6
Seeks to preserve the restitution life imputed to him through the merit of Christ. R4536:4
Those who love self, popularity, worldly prosperity, honor of men, more than they love the Lord, and who reverence human theories and systems more than the Word of the Lord. D628
Shall lose it – His eternal life. R4536:4
The great "prize" of the divine nature. R5120:3
Not worthy to share the kingdom. D268
Shall lose his life – Greek: psuche; soul, being. E336
Sacrifice in the interests of the Lord's cause. R5120:3, 4536:4
Anyone solicitous of maintaining his rights and holding on to the present life, unwilling to sacrifice all, will lose the great "prize" of the divine nature. R5120:3
Shall save it – The reward of life on the spirit plane. R5120:3
In the first resurrection. R528:4*
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| 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
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Gain the whole world – The selfishness thus developed will make them unfit for the eternal life. R5120:3
Lose his own soul – Greek, psuche, life, being. E336; CR207:4*
His existence for which nothing would compensate, for without existence there could be no possession or pleasure. R3341:2
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| 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
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What shall a man give – Wealth, fame or name for a few years in the present time. R5120:3
For his soul – Greek, psuche, life, being. E336
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| 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
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Ashamed of me – There are many ways of showing ourselves ashamed of Christ: if we are ashamed of any member of his Body, if we are ashamed to be recognized by the world as members of his despised Body, if we are ashamed of his doctrines. R1189:5*; E237; CR448:4
"He that despiseth you despiseth me." (Luke 10:16) R3777:1
We are not to hold back from the service of the truth because we are well-known by our neighbors, nor because of the majority of those who distribute tracts are illiterate or forced to the service of poverty. R4001:5
The heart attitude that says, "So long as right is as easy as wrong I will choose the right, but if wrong is easier than right I will choose the easier way," is disloyal to God. SM346:1
If Jesus had joined hands in Pharisaism, even had he kept quiet and left their hypocrisies alone, he would not have suffered. So with us. E236; R374:4
Such characters are not willing to be closely identified with the Body of Christ, but would follow "afar off." R1189:4*
They have not, by faithful service, developed the necessary character and proved their sympathy, devotion, love and zeal for the Lord and his truth. C210
Manifestly such will not be fit for the glorious position to which the Lord has called us if so weak of character. SM764:T, 346:1; R1189:5*
And of my words – Love to God is above all, and love to God's Word Jesus puts next. R753:5
Ashamed to confess the doctrines which he taught. E237; R5120:4
To be ashamed of the truth, of the divine plan, of the teachings of God's Word, because they are unpopular with men, is to offend the Lord and prove ourselves unworthy of his favor. R5120:4
Whoever honors and serves not the Lord's Word, lacks evidence of love for the Lord himself. R4480:5
They have the spirit of bondage and fear which bringeth a snare and blindness upon them again. R525:6
The acceptance of truth as due, in the face of unpopularity, is a part of the testing. The Lord puts his plan, his Word, as his representative. R2597:4
The Bible and the literature which expounds and illustrates it. R3777:4
The Lord puts his Word on a parity with himself. R3776:3, 2597:4, 318:2
In neglecting them they neglect him. R55:6
I have yet to find a man that is not ashamed of the ordinary misnamed Gospel of damnation. HG190:6
Sinful generation – Those who had not made a consecration. R5120:4
Son of man – The Son of the man (Adam). E153
The "Son of man" is a title of high honor because it is a perpetual reminder of his great victory by which he obtained the divine nature. E151
Be ashamed – He will not own them as members of his Bride class. R4967:6
He would rightly be ashamed to take for his Bride one so inferior to the true standard of moral excellence. R1189:5*
Such a heart would be unworthy of the glorious high calling. Indeed it would make even an unworthy human being. SM346:1
If we would maintain him as our Advocate, we also must be advocating his cause amongst men. R5120:4
As in Luther's and Paul's day, so now those too indolent or too cowardly to express truth which they see, prove both by word and act that they are unworthy of the knowledge and consequently they are left in darkness. R402:5, 310:6
When he cometh – In the Millennium. R3777:5, 3341:2
The holy angels – The saints, his holy messengers. C302
"The Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints." (Jude 14) C302
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