{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/009/0090378.htm","path":"chr/ecf/009/0090378.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/009/0090378.htm","text":"1. Introduction to the Feeding of the Five Thousand.\n\u201cAnd when even was come His disciples came to Him,\u201d 5337 that is, at the consummation of the age in regard to which we may fitly say what is found in the Epistle of John, \u201cIt is the last hour.\u201d 5338 They, not yet understanding what the Word was about to do, say to Him, \u201cThe place is desert,\u201d 5339 seeing the desert condition of the masses in respect of God and the Law and the Word; but they say to Him, \u201cThe time is past,\u201d 5340 as if the fitting season of the law and prophets had passed. Perhaps they spoke this saying, in reference to the word of Jesus, that because of the beheading of John both the law and the prophets who were until John had ceased. 5341 \u201cThe time is past,\u201d therefore they say, and no food is at hand, because the season of it is no longer present, that those who have followed Thee in the desert may serve the law and the prophets. And, further, the disciples say, \u201cSend them away,\u201d 5342 that each one may buy food, if he cannot from the cities, at least from the villages,\u2014places more ignoble. Such things the disciples said, because, after the letter of the law had been abrogated and prophecies had ceased, they despaired of unexpected and new food being found for the multitudes. But see what Jesus answers to the disciples though He does not cry out and plainly say it: \u201cYou suppose that, if the great multitude go away from Me in need of food, they will find it in villages rather than with Me, and among bodies of men, not of citizens but of villagers, rather than by abiding with Me. But I declare unto you, that in regard to that of which you suppose they are in need they are not in need, for they have no need to go away; but in regard to that of which you think they have no need\u2014that is, of Me\u2014as if I could not feed them, of this contrary to your expectation they have need. Since, then, I have trained you, and made you fit to give rational food to them who are in need of it, give ye to the crowds who have followed Me to eat; for ye have the power, which ye have received from Me, of giving the multitudes to eat; and if ye had attended to this, ye would have understood that I am far more able to feed them, and ye would not have said, \u2018Send the multitudes away that they may go and buy food for themselves.\u2019\u201d 5343","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX: Origen's Commentary on the G...","type":"page"}