Mark 6:38

How many loaves? Jesus had already spoken to Philip regarding the problem of providing food for the multitude (see John 6:5, 6; cf. ch. 1:43). Like Peter and Andrew, Philip was a native of Bethsaida, and since that city was but a short distance from where the events of this memorable day took place, Philip, presumably, would have known where to secure food if anyone did. He was sincere, but slow to believe, as was evident more than once during his association with Christ as a disciple (see John 14:8-12; cf. DA 292). It was doubtless to give Philip an opportunity to strengthen his faith that Christ addressed this inquiry to him (see on John 6:5, 6). It was Philip, in fact, who asserted that the sum of 200 Roman denarii would not purchase a sufficient quantity of food (see John 6:7).

But it was Andrew, perhaps of a more practical turn of mind, who apparently took Christ at His word, and set out to discover what food was available (see John 6:8, 9). The hesitancy of Philip and the willingness of Andrew to step out by faith stand forth in striking contrast.

Go and see. Jesus “knew what he would do” (see John 6:6) from the very first. But, as in sending forth the Twelve, He led the disciples themselves to analyze the problem that confronted them and to discover a solution to it.

They say. It was Andrew who made the discovery of the simple lunch one lad had brought for himself, and relayed the report to Jesus (see John 6:8, 9).

Five, and two fishes. The five “loaves” were made of barley meal (John 6:9), and were probably round and flat in shape. Barley was much less expensive than wheat, and was the staple food of the poor. The fish were probably dried and ready to eat, as is so often the case in Oriental lands, ancient and modern. They were eaten along with the bread, as a sort of relish.