37. Et comederunt omnes, et saturati sunt. Et quod superfuit de fragmentis tulerunt, septem sportas plenas.

38. Erant autem qui manducaverunt quatuor millia hominum, extrà parvulos et mulieres.

39. Et dimissâ turbâ, ascendit in naviculam, et venit in fines Magedan.

37. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they took up 'seven baskets full, of what remained of the fragments.

38. And they that did eat were 'four thousand men, beside children and women.

39. And having sent away the multitude, he took ship, and came into the coasts of "Magedan.

It is not to be wondered at that the multitudes were so difficult of conversion, since we see the disciples themselves forgetful of past benefits. S. Mark says, "They understood not concerning the loaves for their heart was blinded."-Mark vi. 52. Our Lord repeats the same miracle, and His manner of doing so is characteristic. He calls them together, points out the claims the people have on Him on account of their forgetfulness of themselves and attention to Him. Not one of the disciples thinks of saying: "create bread for them." He proceeds calmly to find out, first what provisions they had, and then to multiply those so as to satisfy all. The points of difference between this miracle and that recorded in the last chapter are chiefly these:

1They had seven loaves, and in the other they had only five.

2On the ground the people are told to sit here; and in the other, on the grass.

Seven baskets-full of fragments instead of twelve, which were taken up in the other.

4The number of people fed were four thousand, and five were fed in the other.

Magedan.-Some copies of the sacred text have Magdala; but this seems to be the most generally adopted word. It was on the south-east coast of the lake.

CHAPTER XVI.

Christ refuses to show the Pharisees a sign from heaven. Peter's confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing Christ's passion. All his followers must deny themselves.

1. Et accesserunt ad eum pharisæi et sadducæi tentantes, et rogaverunt eum ut signum de cœlo ostenderet eis.

2. At ille respondens ait illis : "Facto vespere dicitis: Serenum erit, rubicundum est enim cœlum.

3. "Et mane: Hodic tempestas, rutilat enim triste

cœlum.

4. "Faciem ergò cœli dijudicare nôstis: signa autem temporum non potestis scire ? Generatio mala et adultera signum quærit, et signum non dabitur ei nisi signum Jonæ prophetæ." Et relictis illis, abiit.

1. And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees, tempting: and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

2. But he answered, and said to them: When it is evening, you say: 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.

3. And in the morning: Today there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering.

4. You know, then, how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.

The Pharisees are joined now by the Sadducees. These two sects were very different from each other. The former were sticklers for the most minute tittle of the ceremonial law. The others were almost Atheists, and scoffed at everything supernatural. They both unite to test Our Lord's mission.

The Pharisees saw the multiplication of the loaves, and considered it a mere earthly matter which might be done by magic. They would have the sun stopped or manna rained down, or something of that description. The others asked for the favour

in mockery and derision. Our Lord never did a miracle when challenged. Distress or misery, or a confirmation of His doctrine, usually brought out His miraculous powers. A sign from heaven. He promises a sign from the tomb.

It will be fair weather.-This is as much as to say, you pretend to be very skilful in prognosticating the weather. You look at the sky and form your notions on old traditional saws confirmed by experience.

You can prognosticate a storm also by the appearance of the clouds. These two verses are wanting in many manuscripts of great authority.

Can you not know the signs of the times ?-The signs of His times were: The sceptre had passed away. The weeks of Daniel were nearly completed. Micheas's prophecy was fulfilled. They saw Isaias being fulfilled, and they will see all fulfilled in a few days.

One sign remains. THE RESURRECTION.

9. Do you not yet understand, neither do you remember the five loaves among the five thousand men, and how many baskets you took up?

10. Nor the seven loaves among the four thousand men, and how many baskets you took up?

11. Why do you not understand that it was not concerning bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12. Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Jesus and His disciples cross the lake again for another part of the country. He tries to impress them with a sense of His power and His providence. All to no use. When He cautioned them against the leaven of the Pharisees; they thought that He meant bread of which they had not taken a supply, and which they might have to buy from a Pharisee in this new place. They had forgotten all about the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Our Lord then upbraids them-O ye of little faithreminds them of the two great miracles they had witnessed. He leaves them then to guess what He meant; and they seem at last to have come to understand it.

1Leaven. This is often used in a good sense, and often also in a bad one. Here it is used in the latter manner; because one unsound doctrine could vitiate a great many truths. Most heretics retain a great many truths mixed with falsehoods.

2Think within yourselves.-Some say they spoke; but that made no difference to Our Lord who knew the thoughts of men.

3Concerning bread. You have seen and admired enough bread lately. 4They understood it very well although He takes no more pains to instruct them just now. It must strike even the most cursory reader that the disciples were very dull of understanding. This was manifested in order that the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Ghost might be properly appreciated by their effects.