Matthew 14:21

KJV

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that had eaten {G2068} were {G2258} about {G5616} five thousand {G4000} men {G435}, beside {G5565} women {G1135} and {G2532} children {G3813}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those eating numbered about five thousand men, plus women and children.

Berean Standard Bible

About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.

American Standard Version

And they that did eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:21 concludes the biblical account of Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand, providing a crucial numerical detail that underscores the immense scale and divine nature of the miracle. By explicitly stating that "about five thousand men" were fed, "beside women and children," the verse highlights that the actual number of beneficiaries was significantly larger, emphasizing the overwhelming abundance of Christ's provision and His boundless compassion for the multitude.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culminating statement of the first miraculous feeding narrative in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following the detailed description of Jesus' actions. The preceding verses ([Matthew 14:15-20](/matthew/14-15-20 "Matthew 14:15-20 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")) recount how Jesus, moved with compassion for the vast crowd, took five loaves and two fish, blessed them, broke them, and distributed them through His disciples. The disciples had initially expressed concern about the logistical impossibility of feeding such a multitude in a desolate place, highlighting their human limitations in contrast to Jesus' divine power. Verse 21 provides the final, astonishing tally, confirming the superabundance of the miracle and setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent walking on water ([Matthew 14:22-33](/matthew/14-22-33 "Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on Water")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Jewish society, large gatherings were often enumerated by counting adult males, especially for purposes of census, military conscription, or logistical planning. The explicit mention of "beside women and children" in Matthew 14:21 is therefore significant, as it clarifies that the "five thousand" figure was not a total headcount of all individuals present. This practice of counting men separately means the actual crowd size was likely much larger, potentially well over 15,000 people, including entire families. The setting was a "desolate place" ([Matthew 14:15](/matthew/14-15 "Matthew 14:15 - Disciples' Concern")), likely an uninhabited area near the Sea of Galilee, emphasizing the complete lack of natural resources and the absolute necessity of divine intervention for sustenance.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 14:21 contributes powerfully to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Abundance and Provision**, demonstrating God's limitless capacity to meet human needs, far exceeding any human expectation or resource. This miracle foreshadows the spiritual sustenance Jesus offers as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). It also highlights **Jesus' Compassion and Authority**, showcasing His deep empathy for the physical hunger of the crowds, coupled with His sovereign power over creation. Furthermore, the sheer scale of the miracle underscores the **Messianic Identity of Jesus**, as such a miraculous feeding event would evoke comparisons to God's provision of manna in the wilderness during the Exodus ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")), positioning Jesus as the greater Moses and the true provider for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eaten (Greek, _esthíō_):** This verb (G2068) literally means "to eat" or "to devour." In this context, it emphasizes the physical act of consumption, confirming that the multitude partook of the miraculously provided food. The implication is not merely that food was present, but that it was consumed by a vast number of people, satisfying their hunger.
* **men (Greek, _anḗr_):** G435 specifically refers to an "individual male" or "man" (as opposed to a general term for people, like _anthrōpos_). This precise terminology is crucial for understanding the numerical count. It indicates that the "five thousand" explicitly refers to adult males, making the subsequent mention of "women and children" a vital detail for the true scope of the miracle.
* **beside (Greek, _chōrís_):** G5565, an adverb meaning "at a space, i.e., separately or apart from." This word clarifies that the women and children were in addition to the five thousand men, not included within that count. It serves to amplify the total number of people fed, emphasizing the extraordinary magnitude of Jesus' provision beyond the stated male headcount.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that had eaten":** This phrase refers to the vast multitude who had just partaken of the miraculously multiplied bread and fish. It establishes the subject of the numerical count that follows, focusing on those who directly benefited from Jesus' provision.
* **"were about five thousand men":** This is the primary numerical detail provided. The use of "about" (Greek, _hōseí_) suggests an approximate but substantial figure. Crucially, the term "men" (Greek, _anḗr_) specifies that this count refers exclusively to adult males, a common practice in ancient censuses or crowd estimations.
* **"beside women and children":** This critical addendum clarifies the true scope of the miracle. The Greek word _chōrís_ ("beside" or "apart from") explicitly states that women and children were present in addition to the 5,000 men. This implies that the total number of individuals fed was significantly higher, likely numbering in the tens of thousands, amplifying the miraculous nature of Jesus' ability to provide for such a vast crowd.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 14:21 employs several effective literary devices to convey the impact of the miracle. The most prominent is **Numerical Specificity**, which provides a concrete figure ("five thousand men") while simultaneously using **Understatement** or **Synecdoche** by adding "beside women and children." While "five thousand" is a large number, the inclusion of "women and children" indicates that this is a partial count, implying a much larger, unquantified total. This technique amplifies the perceived scale of the miracle, suggesting that the actual number fed was far greater than what is explicitly stated, thereby enhancing the sense of divine abundance. The use of **Climax** is also evident, as this verse serves as the final, impactful statement following the narrative of the feeding, delivering the astonishing outcome and leaving the reader in awe of Jesus' power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 14:21 profoundly illustrates God's boundless capacity for provision, moving beyond mere sufficiency to overwhelming abundance. This miracle is not simply about feeding a hungry crowd; it is a profound theological statement about the character of God, who delights in providing for His people in ways that exceed human imagination and limitation. It foreshadows the spiritual sustenance found only in Christ, who offers Himself as the true bread of life, satisfying the deepest hunger of the human soul. The inclusion of women and children highlights God's comprehensive care for all, regardless of status or age, underscoring His universal compassion. This event serves as a powerful reminder that in Christ, there is always more than enough, both for physical needs and for eternal spiritual nourishment.

* [Mark 6:42](/mark/6-42 "Mark 6:42 - All Were Satisfied")
* [John 6:12-13](/john/6-12-13 "John 6:12-13 - Gathering the Fragments")
* [Luke 9:17](/luke/9-17 "Luke 9:17 - All Ate and Were Satisfied")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 14:21 stands as a powerful testament to the limitless generosity and compassion of Jesus. In a world often marked by scarcity and anxiety over resources, this verse calls us to shift our perspective from human limitation to divine abundance. Just as Jesus took meager provisions and multiplied them to feed thousands, He can take our seemingly insignificant offerings—our limited time, talents, or resources—and use them to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom. This passage encourages us to bring our needs, both physical and spiritual, to Him with complete trust, knowing that He is more than able to provide. It also challenges us to participate in His compassionate work, sharing what we have, however little, so that others might experience His provision and grace. Ultimately, this miracle reminds us that our deepest hunger is for Christ Himself, and He alone can satisfy us completely.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detail "beside women and children" impact your understanding of the magnitude of Jesus' miracle and His compassion?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a sense of scarcity or limitation? How might this passage encourage you to trust in God's abundance?**
* **What "little" do you possess (time, talent, resources) that you can offer to Jesus, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?**
* **How does this physical feeding miracle point to Jesus' ability to satisfy our spiritual hunger?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important that the verse specifies "men" and then "women and children" separately?**

Answer: The distinction is crucial for understanding the true scale of the miracle. In ancient Jewish culture, particularly for census or crowd estimations, it was common practice to count only adult males. By stating "about five thousand men" and then explicitly adding "beside women and children," the text indicates that the total number of people fed was significantly larger than 5,000. This implies that the actual crowd could have numbered 15,000, 20,000, or even more, as families typically accompanied men to such events. This detail amplifies the astonishing nature of Jesus' miraculous provision, demonstrating His power to supernaturally feed a truly massive multitude in a desolate place, leaving no doubt about the overwhelming abundance of the food and the satisfaction of all present, as confirmed in [Mark 6:42](/mark/6-42 "Mark 6:42 - All Ate and Were Satisfied").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 14:21, while a historical account of a physical miracle, powerfully points to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate provider and sustainer. This miraculous feeding foreshadows the spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers to a spiritually hungry world. Just as He provided bread for the physical hunger of the multitude, He declares Himself to be the "bread of life" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), promising that those who come to Him will never hunger. The abundance seen in the twelve baskets of leftovers ([Matthew 14:20](/matthew/14-20 "Matthew 14:20 - Twelve Baskets Full")) symbolizes the overflowing grace and eternal life found in Christ, far exceeding human need or expectation. This event also prefigures the ultimate feast of salvation, the Lord's Supper, where believers partake of symbols representing Christ's body and blood, remembering His sacrificial provision for our sin and spiritual nourishment unto eternal life ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Thus, Matthew 14:21 is not merely a record of a past miracle but a vibrant testament to Christ's ongoing capacity to satisfy every human longing, both physical and spiritual, through His inexhaustible love and power, culminating in His redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection, which provides true and lasting life for all who believe ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")).

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

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

2 Corinthians 9:11

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Acts 4:4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

John 6:10

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Acts 4:34

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,