Patristic A.D. 735
“Or, by the two fishes are meant the saying or writings of the Prophets, and the Psalmist. And whereas the number five refers to the five senses, a thousand stands for perfection. But those who strive to obtain the perfect government of their five senses, are called men, in consequence of their superior powers: they have no womanly weaknesses; but by a sober and chaste life, earn the sweet refreshment of heavenly wisdom.”
Catena Aurea: Gospel of John, as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on John 6:1-14
PD · J. H. Newman (Oxford, 1845) ↗