GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
HEALING AND FEEDING: Mt 15,29-39
We need to begin by exploring the unity of this scene and the way that Matthew has edited Mark (Mk 7,31-8,11).
Where is Jesus at the beginning and end (verses 29 and 39) of this scene? Where is he in between (15,29)? See also 5,1; 14,22 and Is 25,6-10. What can we say about the way Matthew has introduced this setting? Look at how he has changed Mk 7,31.
Look as well back to our overview of the whole Gospel.
Both Matthew and Mark tell of Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman as we have seen (15,21-28 and Mk 7,24-30). Both evangelists also tell of a second feeding of a crowd (15,32-39 and Mk 8,1-10). What though happens in between in the two Gospels, comparing 15,29-31 and Mk 7,31-37?
Look at how Matthew has changed Mark and consider the result of this editing for the whole of 15,29-39. A clue lies in Matthew's omission of Mk 8,1. Look as well at 15,30.
With that in mind, see how the passage falls into two parts and the way they are linked.
What sort of people are likely to be involved here?
Now take a look at my response.
Healing: 15,29-31
Track Jesus' movements in 15,29. See 5,1.
What happens when the crowds come to Jesus in verse 30, a contrast with 5,1. See 11,5 and Isaiah 35,5-6 with Is 29,18-19.
For verse 31, note how the list is in reverse order. What is the conclusion? How does this compare with 9,8?
Feeding: 15,31-39
We read about the first feeding of the crowds by Jesus only in the previous chapter (14,13-21). The background to this second feeding will be similar, that of God feeding his people in the desert, Ex 16, and the story of Elisha feeding the crowd, 2 Kings 4,42-44. we will find this second feeding to be similar to the first, but with subtle differences. We need to be alert for those differences.
That this feeding takes place on a mountain also recalls Isaiah 25,1. This would fit well with an anticipation of 28,16 in this scene.
Note what in 14,14 has now been moved to 15,32.
who takes the initiative in this feeding?
How does the disciples' response in 15,33 compare with their response in Mk 8,4?
What has Matthew added in 15,34 to Mk 8,5?
How has Jesus' prayer changed in 15,36 from 14,19?
Could there be a symbolism in the seven baskets in 15,37?
Once again (as in 14,21), we see Matthew in verse 38 enlarging the crowds compared to Mark (Mk 8,9)
We are ready to go to my response.
We can now continue our reading with our overview of chapter 16.