Our Lord's mission of grace and truth was at its height. His help was sought with the utmost eagerness. Large numbers of sick were cast at His feet in hot haste. The crumb was given to the woman of Canaan, but whole loaves were distributed to the crowds of Jews, because it was befitting that they should have a full chance to appreciate and accept Christ. For a brief moment they glorified the God of Israel, but the spasm of gratitude was transient. "His own" rejected Jesus. They would have His miracles, but would not own His claims. Take care that you do not become content with getting His help; love Him for Himself.
Do not suppose that these miracles were confined to His earthly life. He is still the great storehouse of divine and healing energy. He is still moved with compassion, and longs to help each weary and sin-sick soul. His thought still is lest they faint by the way. The wilderness can place no bar on "the saving strength of His right hand." Disciples especially are meant to be intermediaries and mediators. They take and give. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 15
1Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees 7for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions; 10teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man 21He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan, 29and other great multitudes; 32and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men
Greek Commentary for Matthew 15:35
On the ground [επι την γην] No mention of “grass” as in Matthew 14:19 for this time, midsummer, the grass would be parched and gone. [source]
On the ground [ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν] Compare Mark 8:6. On the occasion of feeding the five thousand, the multitude sat down on the grass ( ἐπὶ τοὺς χότρους ) Matthew 14:19. It was then the month of flowers. Compare Mark 6:39, the green grass, and John 6:10, much grass. On the present occasion, several weeks later, the grass would be burnt up, so that they would sit on the ground. [source]
Gave thanks [] According to the Jewish ordinance, the head of the house was to speak the blessing only if he himself shared in the meal; yet if they who sat down to it were not merely guests, but his children or his household, then he might speak it, even if he himself did not partake. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 15:35 mean?
AndHe having commandedthecrowdsto sit downontheground
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: παραγγέλλω
Sense: to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce.
Greek Commentary for Matthew 15:35
No mention of “grass” as in Matthew 14:19 for this time, midsummer, the grass would be parched and gone. [source]
Compare Mark 8:6. On the occasion of feeding the five thousand, the multitude sat down on the grass ( ἐπὶ τοὺς χότρους ) Matthew 14:19. It was then the month of flowers. Compare Mark 6:39, the green grass, and John 6:10, much grass. On the present occasion, several weeks later, the grass would be burnt up, so that they would sit on the ground. [source]
According to the Jewish ordinance, the head of the house was to speak the blessing only if he himself shared in the meal; yet if they who sat down to it were not merely guests, but his children or his household, then he might speak it, even if he himself did not partake. [source]