THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Healing and Feeding Mt 15,29-39
It is important that we establish the unity of this passage so that we see how its two parts are linked: healing (15,29-31) and then feeding (15,32-39). We will also see the importance of where this takes place.
To achieve this combination, Matthew has removed Mark's healing of a deaf mute (Mk 7,31-37) and provided instead a more general summary about Jesus' healings (15,30). Whilst Jesus at the beginning and end of the passage is at sea level, in between for this healing and feeding he goes up the mountain. Once again the mountain has the article (as in 5,1; 14,22 etc.).
Thus the healing and feeding in 15,29-39 have been formed into one two part scene which takes place on the mountain. Jesus we might say is providing the full care package. Mark on the contrary keeps the two parts separate, with the multitudes arriving only in Mk 8,1. Matthew (15,32) has cut out this verse of Mark which begins "in those days".
In 15,21, Jesus is at least near to Tyre and Sidon. Until the end of the Gospel, Matthew sees Jesus' mission as one only to the people of Israel, as Jesus says to the Canaanite woman (15,24). He is therefore reluctant for Jesus to make a trip outside Israelite territory, unlike Mark (Mk 7,24.31), though Jesus does get close to the borders. (Mk 7,31 also mentions the Decapolis). The crowd in this scene may therefore be Gentile (see "Galilee of the Gentiles in 4,15), anticipating the later ministry of the Church. This will be clearer when we look at the details
This mountain setting seems to have been brought in quite artificially. In 15,29 Jesus is by the sea of Galilee, then he is in a deserted place in 15,33 (which may be an echo of Mk 8,4) and somehow by 15,39 he is back again at the lakeshore (15,29) getting into a boat.
Setting this scene on the mountain is therefore important for Matthew. In our overview of the whole Gospel, we saw the importance of the seven mountain scenes of this Gospel. This time, the mountain is the fourth or middle one. That underlines the importance for Matthew of Jesus as the one who heals and feeds.
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Healing: 15,29-31
When the crowd come to Jesus sitting on the mountain in 15,30, he is healing rather than teaching as earlier (5,1, the Sermon on the Mount). The importance of the mountain setting for this scene can be seen in the oracle of Isaiah, Is 25,6-10, the mountain gathering of all peoples at the end of time. Matthew in 15,30 is also close to Is 35,5-6, Jesus is the God who comes to save (Is 35,4). Is 29,18-19 is similar.
As a result of the healings, the crowd glorify or praise the God of Israel (15,31). Whilst this is a standard OT expression (Ex 5,1 or Ps 41,13), in this setting it could signify a Gentile crowd. The response of a Jewish crowd would more likely to be that of 9,8 which added a comment about God's power.
Feeding: 15,31-39
This feeding takes place on the mountain, there is no change of scene. Already as I am suggesting this mountain anticpates the mountain of chapter 28 when the mission is opened to all nations. This could also anticipate the great banquet at the end of time: Is 25,1 speaks of the Lord of hosts providing a banquet for all nations on the mountain.
Jesus as before (14,14) has compassion for the crowds. There it was linked with the healing; this time (15,32) it is linked with the feeding.
The result is that this time Jesus takes the initiative for the feeding (15,32) and the response of the disciples entirely practical. They are already aware of the fish (15,34) which are only an afterthought in Mark (Mk 7,7).
This time Jesus gives thanks (15,36) rather than a blessing (14,19). "Giving thanks" may echo with the Church for whom Matthew was writing, Eucharist meaning "thanksgiving". This may be another sign of the wider setting of this second feeding.
It is frequently noted that there is a different word for basket in 15,37 to that used in 14,20. The word here is one more appropriate for Gentile baskets. Seven is the number of wholeness. That too indicates a wider setting from the twelve baskets of 14,20.
Once again, Matthew has included the women and children besides the men.
In conclusion, there is a case for this second feeding involving a more Gentile gathering, anticipating the later gatherings of the community for their Eucharist. Included with this feeding story is a powerful reminder (15,31-32) that the Eucharist is about healing. We can remember for example, St Paul writing to the Corinthians about good behaviour in the community and the importance of worthy celebration of the Eucharist, 1 Cor 11,17-34.
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