And Jesus went up into a mountain
In a desert place near Bethsaida, ( Luke 9:10 ) ;
and there he sat with his disciples;
partly for security from the cruelty of Herod, having just heard of the beheading of John; and partly for privacy, that he might have some conversation alone with his disciples, upon their return from off their journey; as also for the sake of rest and refreshment; and according to the custom of the Jewish doctors, which now prevailed, (See Gill on Matthew 5:1), he sat with his disciples, in order to teach and instruct them.