2 Gr. recline.
3 The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.
4 Gr. loaves.
a The Bethsaida of Luke 9:10 was evidently the eastern Bethsaida, which the Tetrarch Philip had named Bethsaida Julias, while that of [Mark 6:45] was the western Bethsaida, near Capernaum. The territory belonging to Bethsaida Julias would naturally extend some distance down the lake.
b Note that here for the first time John runs parallel with all the synoptic gospels. All four report this incident. See Passion Week.
§ 73. THE PREVENTION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE TO PROCLAIM JESUS KING (A POLITICAL MESSIAH)
| Mark 6:45-46 | Matt. 14:22-23 | John 6:14-15 |
| 45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray. | 22 And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away. 23 And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone. | 14 When therefore the people saw the 1sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world [see Deut. 18:15]. 15 Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. |
1 Some ancient authorities read signs.