Howbeit there came other boats. — This is a parenthesis to explain the fact that while on the previous evening they saw only one boat, there were now several. The multitude came in part from the west of the lake, and the boats crossed over in the morning for them. It is possible that a harbour or centre of merchandise is pointed out by “nigh unto the place.”
The Lord had given thanks. — This act had impressed itself upon the writer. Because the Lord had blessed the bread it was that the multitude had whereof to eat.