3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
For divers of them came from far - And they could not possibly reach their respective homes without perishing, unless they got food.
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will (a) faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
(a) Literally, "they will fall apart", or "be dissolved", for when men faint they tear their muscles.
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses,.... Greek, "to their own house", or home; but all the Oriental versions render it as we do, in the plural, "their own houses", or habitations; and it seems from hence that they were now tasting, and at least had had no food all that day, whatever they might have the day before, which it not certain.
They will faint by the way; for want of food their strength will be exhausted, their animal spirits will fail, their nerves will be loosened, they will not be able to perform their journey, or get to the end of it:
for divers of them came from far; perhaps some had followed him from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, from whence he came last; and others from Decapolis, through the midst of the borders of which he passed hither; and others from different parts, who had heard of his coming; See Gill on Matthew 15:32.
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way--In their eagerness they seem not to have thought of the need of provisions for such a length of time; but the Lord thought of it. In Matthew (Matthew 15:32) it is, "I will not send them away fasting"--or rather, "To send them away fasting I am unwilling."
*More commentary available at chapter level.