Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 15:37
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven baskets full.
37. seven baskets ] Spurides, see note ch. Mat 14:20, and Act 9:25, where St Paul is said to have been let down from the wall of Damascus in a spuris, probably a large basket made of rope-net, possibly a fisherman’s basket. Why the disciples brought different kinds of baskets on the two occasions we cannot determine.
the broken meat that was left ] See ch. Mat 14:20. One side of the lesson is the lavishness of Providence. God gives even more than we require or ask for. But the leading thought is a protest against waste.
39 16:4. Jesus at Magdala, or Magadan, is tempted to give a Sign. Mar 8:10-12; Luk 12:54-57
took ship ] Literally, went on board the ship.
the coasts of Magdala ] The MSS. vary between Magdala and Magadan. The latter reading, however, has by far the highest authority in its favour. It is probable that the familiar Magdala supplanted in the text the more obscure Magadan. Magdala or Migdol (a watch tower) is identified with the modern Mejdel, a collection of ruins and squalid huts at the S.E. corner of the plain of Gennesaret, opposite to K’hersa or Gergesa. This is the point where the lake is broadest. Prof. Rawlinson thinks that this Magdala may be the Magdolus of Herodotus, ii. 159; unless indeed by a confusion curiously similar to that in the text, Herodotus has mistaken Migdol for Megiddo. Magdala was probably the home of Mary Magdalene.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 37. They did all eat, and were filled] – they were satisfied. The husks of worldly pleasures may fill the man, but cannot satisfy the soul. A man may eat, and not be satisfied: it is the interest therefore of every follower of Christ to follow him till he be fed, and to feed on him till he be satisfied.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And they did all eat, and were filled,…. Every one had a share of the provision, and that to full satisfaction; no one was overlooked and neglected, and everyone had as much as he could eat:
and they took up of the broken meat that was left, seven baskets full. The disciples, after they had distributed to everyone his portion, went round, and collected the remaining fragments, and filled seven baskets therewith, according to the number of the loaves which were broken; and so had a full return for the loaves and fishes they spared on this occasion.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Baskets [] . See on Mt 14:20.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
(37) Seven baskets full.The nature of the baskets has been explained above. As it is hardly likely that these could have been carried by the disciples on their journey, we must think of them as having been probably brought by some of the multitude to hold their provisions. The fact that the disciples were shortly afterwards (Mat. 16:7) again without provision, suggests the thought that the fragments themselves had been in their turn distributed to the poor of the villages in the district to which our Lord and the disciples now turned their courses.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And they all ate, and were filled, and they took up what remained over of the broken pieces, seven baskets full.’
And as before all ate and were filled. There is no lack of sufficiency when Jesus feeds men and women with the bread of life. And even what was left over was a sufficiency of divine supply (seven). The word for baskets here refers to non-wicker baskets, and they were regularly, although not always, of a larger size. These ones were probably usually used to hold catches of fish. We are specifically informed in Mat 16:9-11 that what was eaten and what was left over symbolised the teaching of Jesus, and therefore of the Kingly Rule of Heaven. Thus the leftovers probably also indicate that there is a surplus to be take out to others, that all who will might be filled.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
Ver. 37. They did all eat and were filled ] They did eat to satiety, as men use to do at feasts, where the tables seem to sweat with variety. The Greek word here is, in its proper signification, used of fatting cattle, that have grass up to the eyes, such as is that in some parts of Ireland, where they are forced to drive out their cattle sometimes from the pastures into the commons, lest they should surfeit and spoil themselves. a
Seven baskets full ] These baskets were bigger and of larger capacity than those coffins, Mat 14:20 . We read of Paul let down by the wall in a basket, Act 9:25 . b It was such a vessel then that a man might sit in it: as the former may seem to have been no larger than a pie or pasty, the outside whereof, from the Greeks, we call a coffin.
a . Hoc propric dicitur de armentis. Nam Graeci vocant gramen aut pabulum. Beza.
b , , sporta.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
37. ] The (commonly derived from , as being of woven work; or by some from , wheat, as being . Hesych [141] ) was large enough to contain a man’s body, as Paul was let down in one from the wall of Damascus, ref. Acts. Greswell (Diss. viii. pt. 4, vol. ii. p. 325) supposes that they may have been used to sleep in, during the stay in the desert.
[141] Hesychius of Jerusalem, cent y . vi.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 15:37 . : baskets different in number and in name. Hesychius defines : = wheat-basket; perhaps connected with , suggesting a basket made of rope-net; probably larger than , for longer journeys (Grotius). Or does the different kind of basket point to different nationality; Gentiles? Hilary contends for Gentile recipients of the second blessing, with whom Westcott ( Characteristics of Gospel Miracles , p. 13) agrees.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
broken meat = fragments, or crumbs.
baskets = large baskets. Greek. spuris. Compare Mat 14:20. Act 9:25. Our modern clothes-basket.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
37.] The (commonly derived from , as being of woven work; or by some from , wheat, as being . Hesych[141]) was large enough to contain a mans body, as Paul was let down in one from the wall of Damascus, ref. Acts. Greswell (Diss. viii. pt. 4, vol. ii. p. 325) supposes that they may have been used to sleep in, during the stay in the desert.
[141] Hesychius of Jerusalem, centy. vi.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
all: Mat 15:33, Mat 14:20, Mat 14:21, Psa 107:9, Luk 1:53
seven: Mat 16:9, Mat 16:10, Mar 8:8, Mar 8:9, Mar 8:19-21
Reciprocal: 2Ki 4:6 – when the vessels 2Ki 4:43 – They shall eat 2Ch 31:10 – we have had Psa 78:25 – he sent Mar 6:42 – General Luk 9:17 – eat Joh 6:12 – they
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5:37
And were filled. See the comments on this phrase at chapter 14:20, also Joh 6:12 as to why the scraps were taken up.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
They did all eat, not a crumb or a bit, but to fulness and satisfaction; yet seven baskets remain; answering the number of the loaves, as the twelve baskets in the former miracle answered to the twelve apostles: in both, more is left than was at first set on: it is hard to say, which was the greater miracle, the miraculous eating, or miraculous leaving. If we consider what they eat, we may justly wonder that they left anything; if what they left that they eat anything. (Dr. Fuller.)
Observe lastly, Christ would not have these fragments lost but gatherd up; the great housekeeper of the world will not allow the loss of his orts. O how dreadful will the account of those be, who have the large and plentiful estates to answer for as lost, being spent upon their lusts in riot and excess! Dr. Fuller
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven {l} baskets full.
(l) A kind of container made with twigs.