670. Thanks at Meals
• 1 min. read • grade level: 8
Matthew 14:1919And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (Matthew 14:19). He took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake.
See also Mark 6:4141And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. (Mark 6:41); Luke 9:1616Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. (Luke 9:16); John 6:1111And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (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 26:2020Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. (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. 10:1616The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)). The expression “bless the sacrifice” in 1 Samuel 9:1313As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. (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 7:1111And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the Lord. (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. 15:3636And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (Matthew 15:36)). See also Mark 8:6-76And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. (Mark 8:6‑7).