Matthew 14:21

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 14:21 concludes the account of Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand, emphasizing the immense scale of the miracle by providing a specific count of those who ate.

Context

This verse immediately follows the extraordinary event where Jesus, moved by compassion, fed a massive crowd in a desolate place with only five barley loaves and two small fish. The disciples had initially expressed concern about feeding so many people (Matthew 14:15), but Jesus took the food, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples to distribute (Matthew 14:19). This verse serves as the final confirmation of the miracle's magnitude, leaving no doubt about the overwhelming abundance provided.

Key Themes

  • Divine Abundance and Provision: The verse underscores God's ability to provide supernaturally for His people, even in seemingly impossible circumstances. It highlights that His resources are limitless, far exceeding human capabilities or expectations.
  • The Magnitude of the Miracle: By specifying "about five thousand men, beside women and children," the text emphasizes that the actual number of people fed was significantly greater than 5,000, potentially ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 or more. This detail amplifies the miraculous nature of the event.
  • Jesus' Compassion and Power: This act of feeding demonstrates Jesus' profound compassion for the physical needs of the multitude, coupled with His divine power over creation to multiply resources.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "men" in this verse is ἀνδρῶν (andrōn), which specifically refers to adult males, as opposed to a general term for people. This precise wording indicates that the 5,000 count was a conservative estimate of the adult male population, making the addition of "women and children" crucial for understanding the full scope of the crowd.

Significance of the Number

The enumeration of the crowd is vital. In ancient contexts, especially when dealing with large gatherings, men were often counted for logistical or military purposes. The explicit mention of "beside women and children" ensures that readers understand this was not the total number of individuals present but a significant subset. This detail reinforces the astounding nature of Jesus' provision, as the actual number fed was likely several times the stated figure, with all having eaten and been satisfied (Mark 6:42).

Practical Application

Matthew 14:21 reminds us that Jesus is a God of abundance who cares deeply for both our spiritual and physical needs. When we feel overwhelmed by needs or limited by our resources, this miracle encourages us to trust in His infinite capacity to provide. It also serves as a call to share what little we have, as the disciples did, allowing Jesus to multiply it for the benefit of many. This divine provision extends beyond physical sustenance to our spiritual hunger, inviting us to find our ultimate satisfaction in Him (John 6:35).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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,

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