Saw a great company - See this miracle explained at large on Matthew 14:13 (note), etc.; Mark 6:31 (note), etc.; Luke 9:10 (note), etc. In speaking of the passovers, and various other matters, it does not appear that John follows any strict chronological order. From John 6:15, it appears that our Lord had come down from the mountain, and fed the multitudes in a plain at the foot of it.

Saith unto Philip - This, with what follows, to the end of the seventh verse, is not mentioned by any of the other evangelists.

Philip was probably the provider for the disciples, as Judas was the treasurer.

Whence shall we buy bread - Instead of αγορασομεν, shall we buy, I should read αγορασωμεν, may we buy, which is the reading of ABDEHLS, Mt. VB, and many others. As Philip was of Bethsaida, John 1:44; John 12:21, he must have been much better acquainted with the country in which they then were than any other of the disciples.

When Jesus then lift up his eyes,.... Being before engaged in close conversation with his disciples, and looking wistly and intently on them, whilst he was discoursing with them:

and saw a great company come unto him; who came on foot, over the bridge at Chammath, from Capernaum, and other cities of Galilee:

he saith unto Philip; he directed his discourse to him particularly, because he was of Bethsaida, near to which place Christ now was, and therefore might be best able to answer the following question:

whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? This, according to the other evangelists, must be said after Christ came from the mountain, and the people were come to him, and he had received them kindly, and had instructed them about the kingdom of God, and had healed the diseased among them, and expressed great compassion for them; and after the disciples had desired him to dismiss them, that they might go to the adjacent towns, and provide food for themselves; which Christ would not admit of and declared it unnecessary, and then put this question, with the following view.

Come (ἔρχεται)

Better, is coming. Unto Him (πρός) is rather toward.

Bread (ἄρτους)

Properly, loaves. See on Matthew 4:1.

{1} When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

(1) They that follow Christ sometimes hunger, but they are never without help.

6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.

6:5 Jesus saith to Philip - Perhaps he had the care of providing victuals for the family of the apostles.

6:1-14 John relates the miracle of feeding the multitude, for its reference to the following discourse. Observe the effect this miracle had upon the people. Even the common Jews expected the Messiah to come into the world, and to be a great Prophet. The Pharisees despised them as not knowing the law; but they knew most of Him who is the end of the law. Yet men may acknowledge Christ as that Prophet, and still turn a deaf ear to him.