Matthew 14:19. He took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake.
See also Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16; John 6:11.
It was customary among the Jews to give thanks to God at the commencement of every meal. The usual form was, “Blessed be thou, O Lord our God the king of the world, who produced bread out of the earth.” They also had a form of blessing for the wine: “Blessed art thou, O Lord, the king of the world, who created the fruit of the vine.” These, or similar forms, were used at the celebration of the passover. See note on Matthew 26:20 (#716). Paul, in allusion to this custom, calls the wine used in the Lord’s supper “the cup of blessing” (1 Cor. 10:16). The expression “bless the sacrifice” in 1 Samuel 9:13, is also an allusion to the custom of asking a blessing before eating, the reference being to those parts of the peace offering which were to be eaten by the offerer and his friends. See note on Leviticus 7:11 (#156).
In compliance with the ancient Jewish custom, the Saviour, before feeding the five thousand, blessed God for the gift bestowed. At another time, when four thousand were fed, “he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them” (Matt. 15:36). See also Mark 8:6-7.