“Subiit ergo in montem Jesus et ibi sedebat cum discipulis suis.”
“And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.”
“Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples.”
“Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples.”
“And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.”
2. Observe whither he retired: He departed again into a mountain, eis to oros—into the mountain, the mountain where he had preached (v. 3), whence he came down into the plain, to feed the people, and then returned to it alone, to be private. Christ, though so useful in the places of concourse, yet chose sometimes to be alone, to teach us to sequester ourselves from the world now and then, for the more free converse with God and our own souls; and never less alone, says the serious Christian, than when alone. Public services must not jostle out private devotions.
Here is, I. Christ's retirement from the multitude.
Our Saviour (as appeareth by Mar 6:31) only spake to his apostles to withdraw into a desert place, and to rest a while; but, Mar 6:33, though our Saviour went by ship, yet the people ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. That which induced them was their knowledge of the miracles which he had wrought.
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 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.