His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” Matthew 15:33

            It seems odd that after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 that the disciples wouldn’t know how to feed the 4,000.  Didn’t they just witness the previous miracle?

            It had more to do with the location of where they were.  In the previous scene, Jesus was in the region of Tyre and Sidon healing the Canaanite’s daughter of a demon.  This means they were in Gentile area.  The disciples would think that miracles apply to Jews only, not to Gentiles (the non-Jews).  Jesus even said in this scene, “I have come to the lost sheep of Israel.”

            But Jesus wanted to show that his compassion extended beyond borders and prejudices.  He loves all people and wants to feed all who have a need.