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NASB | John 6:9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 6:9 "There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?" |
Bible Question: So, I take it that you feel it is a waste of time to study the history, people, culture and events that surround the events in the gospel story? There is no meaning to be gained by understanding the traditions and lifestyles of the day. Understanding the background and setting of the story adds no meaning to the story. Additional information simply distracts from the main theme of the gospel. I agree it really doesn’t matter what the boy had originally planned for the fish and bread. Eat or sell, it does not matter. I also agree that the boy is not the central character in the story. You are right – asking “what if” can go on forever and lead nowhere. “What if” I had not stumbled into the “StudyBibleForum” website today before finding Adam Clarke’s commentary on the topic? |
Bible Answer: Dave - Whoa! Please slow down and try not to read so many "I take its" into what I have written :-) You may "take it" that I oppose the study of background information on biblical topics if you wish, but nothing could be further from the truth. The point which I endeavored to make, and so obviously failed to do, is that it is often unproductive to speculate on detail which the Scriptures do not provide. Now, Dave, if you can produce any reliable extra-biblical documents that connect the dots in this narrative, that tell us more about the boy, his fish and bread, and what he planned to do with them, than Scripture does, and if you feel that they help us to understand this miracle of Jesus better, then by all means make us privy to them. ..... You know, "fish stories" of all kinds have a way of being stretched and interpolated. For most kinds of "fish stories" it amounts to nothing but innocent amusement. But when it comes to Scripture, it becomes neither innocent nor amusing to enter the twilight zone of speculation! I do not accuse you of doing that, Dave. I'm merely stating a deep conviction that it should not be done, but that it is in fact being done with Scripture and being taught to others as the truth. --Hank |