It was usual for the Lord Jesus to illustrate His teaching by reference to common things, such as concerned every day life. Increasing acquaintance with the customs of Eastern lands throws light upon many a passage upon which differences of opinion have arisen, such as respecting these "three loaves," a custom which to this day is well understood by the people of Bible lands. A missionary lady directed her servant to buy some bread for an unexpected visitor, and he said he must get "three loaves." Eastern loaves are small, not larger than English dinner-rolls; but three seemed a large quantity, and she said so. The man replied "I must buy the loaves; that is a man's portion, and you cannot set less before him." Another lady who lived for many years in Jerusalem, has stated that the words "three loaves" are always known there to signify provision for an unexpected guest. The heat of the climate renders it unadvisable to prepare more food, at one time, than is likely to be consumed at one meal; the uncertainties of Oriental travel makes it impossible for a guest always to time his arrival; and he may, therefore, make his appearance when there is nothing in the house for his refreshment, and his host has to send round to his friends and neighbors to see if fragments can be found from which some dish may be hastily prepared. The last mentioned lady was sitting in her room one evening, when a black boy, servant of a Missionary living near, put his head in at the door, with these words " My master says, Will you lend him three loaves? " She understood at once the state of the case, as well as if the boy had repeated the verse that follows these words. She found a small piece of meat, and a little milk, sufficient for the traveler's tea (the boy had already obtained bread from another friend); and this was her part of the required " three loaves."
Such illustrations as these, familiar to all who listened to the Lord's words, furnish one reason, we can well understand, why " the common people heard Him gladly."