John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Philip answered him , etc.] Very quick and short, and in a carnal and unbelieving way: two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them . Two hundred pence, or Roman denarii, which may be here meant, amount to six pounds five shillings of our money; and this sum is mentioned, because it might be the whole stock that was in the bag, or that Christ and his disciples had; or because this was a round sum, much in use among the Jews; (see Gill on Mark 6:37). Or this may be said by Philip, to show how impracticable it was to provide for such a company; that supposing they had two hundred pence to lay out in this way; though where should they have that, he suggests? yet if they had it, as much bread as that would purchase would not be sufficient: that everyone of them might take a little ; it would be so far from giving them a meal, or proper refreshment, that everyone could not have a small bit to taste of, or in the least to stay or blunt his appetite: a penny, with the Jews, would buy as much bread as would serve ten men; so that two hundred pence would buy bread enough for two thousand men; but here were three thousand more, besides women and children, who could not have been provided for with such a sum of money.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 no 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 dea ear to him.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκριθη 611 5662 V-ADI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM φιλιππος 5376 N-NSM διακοσιων 1250 A-GPN δηναριων 1220 N-GPN αρτοι 740 N-NPM ουκ 3756 PRT-N αρκουσιν 714 5719 V-PAI-3P αυτοις 846 P-DPM ινα 2443 CONJ εκαστος 1538 A-NSM αυτων 846 P-GPM βραχυ 1024 A-ASN τι 5100 X-ASN λαβη 2983 5632 V-2AAS-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Pennyworth (dhnarwn). See on Matt. xx. 2. Two hundred pennyworth would represent between thirty and thirty-five dollars. That every one may take a little. Peculiar to John.
