When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Saw a great company - See this miracle explained at large on Matthew 14:13 (note), etc.; Mark 6:31 (note), etc.; Luke 9:10 (note), etc. In speaking of the passovers, and various other matters, it does not appear that John follows any strict chronological order. From John 6:15, it appears that our Lord had come down from the mountain, and fed the multitudes in a plain at the foot of it.
Saith unto Philip - This, with what follows, to the end of the seventh verse, is not mentioned by any of the other evangelists.
Philip was probably the provider for the disciples, as Judas was the treasurer.
Whence shall we buy bread - Instead of αγορασομεν, shall we buy, I should read αγορασωμεν, may we buy, which is the reading of ABDEHLS, Mt. VB, and many others. As Philip was of Bethsaida, John 1:44; John 12:21, he must have been much better acquainted with the country in which they then were than any other of the disciples.