John 6:9

KJV

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

KJV (with Strong's)

There is {G2076} a {G1520} lad {G3808} here {G5602}, which {G3739} hath {G2192} five {G4002} barley {G2916} loaves {G740}, and {G2532} two {G1417} small fishes {G3795}: but {G235} what {G5101} are {G2076} they {G5023} among {G1519} so many {G5118}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“There’s a young fellow here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish. But how far will they go among so many?”

Berean Standard Bible

“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”

American Standard Version

There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Humble Offering") captures Andrew's pragmatic assessment of a young boy's meager provisions—five barley loaves and two small fish—in the face of an overwhelming crowd, culminating in his rhetorical question, "but what are they among so many?" This pivotal moment underscores the stark contrast between human limitation and divine potential, setting the stage for Jesus' miraculous demonstration of abundant provision and foreshadowing His deeper teaching on spiritual sustenance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, specifically following His crossing of the Sea of Galilee and the gathering of a large multitude drawn by His signs and teachings, as recounted in [John 6:1-4](/john/6-1-4 "John 6:1-4 - Jesus Crosses Galilee"). Faced with the practical dilemma of feeding thousands in a desolate place, Jesus first tests Philip, asking where they might buy bread ([John 6:5](/john/6-5 "John 6:5 - Jesus Tests Philip")). Philip's response, highlighting the immense financial impossibility of feeding such a crowd ([John 6:7](/john/6-7 "John 6:7 - Philip's Realistic Assessment")), sets the stage for Andrew's discovery of the boy's humble meal. Andrew's question in [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Humble Offering") serves as the human expression of inadequacy, immediately preceding Jesus' command to have the people sit down and His subsequent miraculous multiplication of the food ([John 6:10-11](/john/6-10-11 "John 6:10-11 - Jesus Feeds the Multitude")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a desolate, grassy area near the Sea of Galilee, a region known for its fishing and agricultural communities. Barley loaves were the cheapest and most common form of bread in ancient Israel, typically consumed by the poor, unlike wheat bread which was more expensive. The "two small fishes" (Greek: *opsaria*) were likely dried, salted, or pickled fish, serving as a relish or condiment to accompany the bread, rather than a substantial meal in themselves. This humble fare further emphasizes the boy's socio-economic status and the extreme inadequacy of the provisions for the estimated five thousand men, plus women and children ([John 6:10](/john/6-10 "John 6:10 - The Multitude Sits Down")), highlighting the sheer scale of the challenge from a human perspective.

* **Key Themes:** [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Humble Offering") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it starkly contrasts **Human Limitation with Divine Sufficiency**. Andrew's question, "but what are they among so many?", perfectly encapsulates the human inability to solve an overwhelming problem, thereby magnifying Jesus' subsequent miraculous power and His boundless capacity to provide. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Significance of Small Offerings**. The boy's seemingly insignificant meal becomes the catalyst for one of Jesus' most renowned miracles, illustrating that even the most humble contribution, when surrendered to Christ, can be used for extraordinary purposes far beyond its intrinsic value. This theme resonates with the principle that God often uses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong ([1 Corinthians/1-27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")). Finally, it speaks to **Faith and Provision**. While the disciples focused on scarcity, Jesus looked for what was available, demonstrating that true provision comes not from human resources but from divine power, inviting believers to trust in God's ability to supply all needs according to His riches in glory ([Philippians/4-19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Supplies All Needs")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lad (Greek, _paidárion'_):** From G3808, meaning "a little boy." This term emphasizes the youth and likely humble status of the individual. The fact that such a young, presumably poor, boy possessed the only available food underscores the dire situation and the profound humility of the offering that Jesus would miraculously multiply.
* **barley (Greek, _kríthinos'_):** From G2916, meaning "consisting of barley." This adjective specifies the type of grain used for the loaves. Barley bread was the food of the poor, the common people, and was less esteemed than wheat bread. Its mention highlights the humble and everyday nature of the provisions, making the subsequent miracle even more striking as it begins with the most basic and common of foods.
* **small fishes (Greek, _opsárion'_):** From G3795, meaning "a relish to other food (as if cooked sauce), i.e. (specially), fish (presumably salted and dried as a condiment)." This word, often used in the diminutive, refers to small, probably dried or pickled fish, usually eaten as a side dish or condiment with bread. The term itself emphasizes the meager quantity and quality of the fish, further accentuating the colossal disparity between the available resources and the immense need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes":** This clause, spoken by Andrew, introduces the only known physical resources available to feed the vast multitude. It is a factual observation, identifying the source (a young boy) and the specific, limited items (five humble barley loaves and two diminutive fish). This part of the verse establishes the starting point for the miracle—a point of extreme human inadequacy.
* **"but what are they among so many?":** This rhetorical question immediately follows Andrew's observation and encapsulates the disciples' human perspective of the situation. The conjunction "but" (Greek: *allá*) introduces a sharp contrast, highlighting the perceived futility of such a small offering against the overwhelming demand. It expresses doubt, skepticism, and a realistic assessment of the physical limitations, setting up the dramatic demonstration of Jesus' divine power to transcend human constraints.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing the boy's meager offering ("five barley loaves, and two small fishes") with the immense need ("so many"). This stark difference highlights the inadequacy of human resources versus the overwhelming scale of the problem, thereby magnifying the divine power required for the solution. **Rhetorical Question** is evident in Andrew's "but what are they among so many?". This question is not posed to elicit an answer from Jesus but to express the speaker's own sense of futility and the apparent impossibility of the situation from a human viewpoint, effectively setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His omnipotence. There is also an element of **Understatement** in Andrew's question, as he implicitly acknowledges the complete insufficiency of the food, yet the miraculous outcome will prove this understatement to be profoundly ironic. Finally, the humble nature of the "barley loaves" and "small fishes" serves as **Symbolism**, representing the seemingly insignificant things that, when given to Christ, can be transformed and multiplied for His glory and the good of many.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:9 serves as a profound theological statement on God's nature as the ultimate provider and His ability to work supernaturally through seemingly insignificant means. It illustrates the divine principle that human limitation is the very stage upon which God's boundless power is most clearly displayed. The disciples, like many believers today, focused on the scarcity of resources and the overwhelming nature of the need, but Jesus saw an opportunity to reveal His glory and teach a vital lesson about dependence on Him. This event foreshadows Jesus' later teaching in the same chapter about Himself as the "Bread of Life," the true spiritual sustenance that satisfies eternally, far beyond any physical meal. The miracle emphasizes that God's economy operates on principles of faith and surrender, where a small offering, consecrated to Him, can yield immeasurable results.

* [2 Kings 4:42-44](/2_kings/4-42-44 "Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men") - Elisha multiplies twenty barley loaves and fresh grain to feed one hundred men, with some left over, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of multiplying humble provisions.
* [Matthew 14:15-21](/matthew/14-15-21 "Matthew's Account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand") - The parallel account in Matthew's Gospel underscores the disciples' initial despair and Jesus' compassionate response, highlighting the same themes of human inadequacy and divine sufficiency.
* [Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20-21 "Romans 4:20-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Power") - Paul's description of Abraham's faith, "being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised," resonates with the faith required to believe in the multiplication of the loaves and fish, trusting in God's power over apparent impossibilities.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 6:9 challenges us to re-evaluate our perspective on resources and limitations. In our lives, we often face situations that seem overwhelming, whether it's a personal challenge, a need in our community, or a calling we feel ill-equipped to fulfill. Like Andrew, our immediate human response is often to focus on what we lack, asking, "What are these meager offerings among so many needs?" This verse powerfully reminds us that God is not limited by our limitations, nor does He require grand resources to accomplish His purposes. Instead, He invites us to bring what little we have—our time, talents, financial resources, or even just our willingness—and surrender it to Him. When we offer our humble "loaves and fish" to Jesus, He is able to take them, bless them, and multiply them far beyond our imagination, impacting lives and bringing glory to His name. The miracle begins not with abundance, but with availability and surrender.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "five barley loaves and two small fishes" do you possess that you are hesitant to offer to God because they seem insignificant?**
* **How does Andrew's question, "but what are they among so many?", reflect your own doubts or fears when faced with overwhelming needs or challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you focusing on scarcity rather than trusting in God's ability to multiply and provide?**
* **What step of faith can you take this week to offer your humble resources to Jesus, trusting Him to do the impossible?**

### FAQ

**Who was the lad mentioned in John 6:9, and why is his contribution significant?**

Answer: The Bible does not name the lad, referring to him simply as "a lad" (Greek: *paidárion*, a little boy). His anonymity is significant because it highlights that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or age, to accomplish His purposes. His contribution, though small—five barley loaves and two small fishes—was the only available resource. His willingness to share his humble meal with Andrew, and ultimately with Jesus, became the catalyst for one of Jesus' most famous miracles, demonstrating that even the most seemingly insignificant offering, when surrendered to Christ, can be multiplied to meet immense needs. This emphasizes the principle that it is not the size of the gift, but the willingness of the giver and the power of God, that truly matters.

**Why were "barley loaves" and "small fishes" specifically mentioned, and what does this tell us about the situation?**

Answer: The specific mention of "barley loaves" and "small fishes" (Greek: *kríthinos ártos* and *opsárion*) is highly significant. Barley bread was the cheapest and most common staple food in ancient Israel, typically consumed by the poor. The "small fishes" were likely dried or pickled, serving as a relish or condiment rather than a substantial meal. This detail underscores the extreme humility and inadequacy of the provisions in the face of thousands of hungry people. It sets up a dramatic contrast between the meager human resources and the immense divine power Jesus was about to display. The miracle, therefore, is not merely about feeding a crowd, but about God's ability to create abundance from scarcity, beginning with the most humble and common elements.

**What is the significance of Andrew's question, "but what are they among so many?"**

Answer: Andrew's question, "but what are they among so many?", is a classic expression of human realism and doubt when confronted with an overwhelming problem. It highlights the disciples' natural tendency to assess situations based on human logic and finite resources. While practical, it also reveals a lack of faith in Jesus' divine power. The question serves as a rhetorical device that sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His omnipotence. By asking "what are they?", Andrew implicitly states that the provisions are utterly insufficient, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of Jesus' subsequent act of multiplication. It underscores the theme that human limitation is the backdrop for divine sufficiency.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The feeding of the five thousand, initiated by the humble offering in [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Humble Offering"), finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the ultimate "Bread of Life." While the physical bread and fish temporarily satisfied the multitude, Jesus immediately uses this miracle as a springboard to teach about a deeper, spiritual hunger and the true sustenance He offers ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He is the one who came down from heaven, not merely to provide physical nourishment, but to give eternal life to the world ([John 6:33](/john/6-33 "John 6:33 - The True Bread from Heaven")). This miracle foreshadows the Last Supper and the Eucharist, where Jesus offers His own body and blood as the true spiritual food and drink for eternal life ([John 6:53-56](/john/6-53-56 "John 6:53-56 - Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood")). Just as He took the humble elements of bread and fish and multiplied them to satisfy thousands, so too does He take the brokenness and inadequacy of humanity and, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers abundant spiritual life and eternal satisfaction to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The boy's offering, multiplied by Christ, points to the infinitely greater offering of Christ Himself, who gives His very self to feed the hungry souls of the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 4:42

And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

2 Kings 4:44

So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.

Matthew 14:17

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

Luke 9:13

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

Mark 6:38

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Psalms 78:19

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

Matthew 16:9

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?