THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Jesus and the Crowd: Mt 14,13-21
The Old Testament background to this feeding of the crowd is the way that God fed his people with manna in the desert as told in Exodus 16. I also mentioned Elijah and Elisha and the widows (1 Kings 17,12 and 2 Kings 4,1-8) for both of whom an ample supply of meal or oil was provided.
A comparison with the story of Elisha feeding a crowd shows an interesting similarity:
Both Elisha and Jesus take the bread
Both command "Give to to them"
The servant and the disciples both object
In both stories, the people eat and food is left over
However, Jesus feeds many more people than Elisha using fewer loaves.
The setting up of the story begins in 14,13 with Jesus going off wanting to be by himself. However, the crowds catch up with him and there is the need of the people for healing. Jesus has compassion on the crowd (14,14). Matthew leaves out Mark's comment about sheep without a shepherd (Mk 6,34) because he has used the expression already (9,36).
EXTRA NOTE 2/8/20: mATTHEW STRESS ON JESUS THE HEALER, NOT THE TEACHER.
The disciples now take the initiative and suggest that Jesus send the crowds away for board and lodging. In Matthew, this is to be seen as a practical response. When Jesus suggests they feed the crowd themselves, they know the answer: only five loaves and a couple of fish are available (14,17). The attitude of the disciples is a marked improvement on the disciples in Mark where they complain that it would cost two hundred denarii to feed the crowd.
The crowd then sits down without the picturesque details of Mk 6,39-40.
In verse 19, Ps 123,1 makes one of the few references to eyes being raised to heaven. Otherwise, a comparison with the Last Supper is interesting: both took place in the evening (26,20), everyone is sitting (or reclining Roman fashion), Jesus takes bread, blesses, breaks and gives to the disciples to eat (26,26).
In Matthew compared with Mark (Mk 6,41) there is a greater emphasis on the disciples distributing the bread, but there is no further mention of the fish.
Dt 8,10 is part of an exhortation about God bringing his people into a good land (Dt 8,7-11) so that they will eat of its fruits and bless God. The leftovers fill twelve baskets, perhaps suggesting the twelve tribes of Israel.
Finally, Matthew increases the crowd by mentioning the presence of the women and children.
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Two banquets: Mt 14,1-21
Herod's banquet is full of pride and arrogance, but fear too. Scheming and murder occur. It takes place in a royal palace. It is a banquet which leads to death.
Jesus' banquet by contrast is a response to his compassion and healing. There is trust and sharing. It takes place in a desert place, recalling God's care of his people during the Exodus from slavery to freedom. It is a banquet that gives life.
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The Sunday Gospel
Isaiah 55 is the last chapter of the so-called Book of Consolation of Israel, Isaiah chapters 40 to 55. It is a passage urging the exiles to return to Jerusalem, playing down the risks that would follow when crossing the desert (seen as a new Exodus) while playing up the care of God for his people. Here therefore there is an invitation to a banquet, an everlasting covenant based on God's love for David. In the Gospel we have Jesus the son of David again calling his people to his banquet.
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