Matthew 15:29-39

Matthew 15:29-39

[29] And  Jesus  departed  from thence,  and came  nigh unto  the sea  of Galilee;  and  went up  into  a mountain,  and sat down  there.  [30] And  great  multitudes  came  unto him,  having  with  them those that were  lame,  blind,  dumb,  maimed,  and  many  others,  and  them  down  at  feet;  and  he healed  them:  [31] Insomuch that  the multitude  wondered,  when they saw  the dumb  to speak,  the maimed  to be whole,  the lame  to walk,  and  the blind  to see:  and  they glorified  the God  of Israel.  [32] Then  Jesus  called  his  disciples  unto him, and said,  I have compassion  on  the multitude,  because  they continue  now  three  days,  and  have  nothing  to eat:  and  I will  not  them  away  fasting,  they faint  in  the way.  [33] And  his  disciples  say  unto him,  Whence  have so much  bread  in  the wilderness,  as  to fill  so great  a multitude?  [34] And  Jesus  saith  unto them,  How many  loaves  have ye?  And  they said,  Seven,  and  a few  little fishes.  [35] And  the multitude  to sit down  on  the ground.  [36] And  he took  the seven  loaves  and  the fishes,  and gave thanks,  and brake  them, and  gave  disciples,  and  the disciples  to the multitude.  [37] And  all  eat,  and  were filled:  and  they took up  of the broken  meat that was left  seven  baskets  full.  [38] And  they that did eat  four thousand  men,  beside  women  and  children.  [39] And  he sent away  the multitude,  and took  ship,  and  came  into  the coasts  of Magdala. 

What does Matthew 15:29-39 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Matthew again recorded a summary of Jesus" general healing ministry (cf. Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:35-38; Matthew 12:15-21; Matthew 14:34-36) following opposition ( Matthew 13:54 to Matthew 14:12; Matthew 15:1-20) and discipleship training ( Matthew 14:13-33; Matthew 15:21-28). Opposition and discipleship training did not occupy His attention so exclusively that He had no time to heal the multitudes compassionately.