Matthew 15:34

KJV

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, How many {G4214} loaves {G740} have ye {G2192}? And {G1161} they said {G2036}, Seven {G2033}, and {G2532} a few {G3641} little fishes {G2485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few fish."

Berean Standard Bible

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:34 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' second miraculous feeding of a multitude, where He directly questions His disciples about their limited provisions, setting the stage for an extraordinary demonstration of divine abundance. This concise exchange reveals the disciples' initial lack of understanding and faith, even after witnessing a similar miracle, while simultaneously highlighting Jesus' compassionate concern for the physical needs of the weary crowd and His power to multiply meager resources into overflowing sustenance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of Jesus' ministry in the region of Decapolis, following His healing of many people and a three-day period where a large crowd had remained with Him. The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 15:32-33) reveal Jesus' compassion for the multitude, stating He did not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. His disciples, however, immediately raised the practical impossibility of feeding such a large crowd in a desolate place. Matthew 15:34 then records Jesus' direct inquiry about their available food, mirroring His approach in the earlier feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:17](/matthew/14-17 "Matthew 14:17 - The Disciples' Initial Response to the Five Thousand")). This repetition serves to highlight the disciples' persistent struggle with faith and understanding, despite previous miraculous evidence of Jesus' power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Decapolis, meaning "ten cities," was a region predominantly Gentile, east of the Jordan River. Jesus' ministry here demonstrates His compassion extending beyond Jewish borders, embracing all who came to Him. In this period, large gatherings of people would typically bring their own provisions, but after three days, these would naturally be exhausted. The disciples' concern about the "desolate place" (Matthew 15:33) reflects the practical challenges of sourcing food for thousands in an unpopulated area. Furthermore, the cultural expectation of hospitality would have weighed on the disciples, as sending people away hungry was contrary to common practice, yet their human limitations made providing for such a multitude seem impossible.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 15:34 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision and Abundance**, showcasing Jesus' ability to provide supernaturally from seemingly insignificant resources, transforming scarcity into overflowing plenty. Secondly, it emphasizes **Jesus' Compassion**, as His initiative to feed the crowd stems from His deep empathy for their physical exhaustion and hunger, demonstrating His holistic concern for humanity's needs. Thirdly, the verse illustrates the principle of **Starting with What You Have**, as Jesus does not demand what the disciples lack, but asks for what they possess, teaching that God can multiply even our small offerings when consecrated to Him. Finally, it highlights the **Disciples' Limited Understanding and Faith**, as they again question the logistics despite having witnessed a similar miracle, serving as a recurring lesson on the need for persistent faith in God's boundless capabilities, a theme also evident in the account of the boy with the small lunch in [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Greek, _légō'_):** This verb signifies speaking, relating, or meaning, often implying a systematic or set discourse. Here, Jesus' "saith" is a direct, purposeful inquiry, not merely a casual utterance. It's a question designed to elicit an inventory from the disciples, forcing them to confront their limited resources and prepare them for His subsequent miraculous action.
* **loaves (Greek, _ártos'_):** Referring to bread, specifically a loaf (as raised), this word is central to the miracle. In the context of the Gospels, "bread" often carries significant symbolic weight, representing sustenance, life, and even the person of Christ as the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The disciples' response of "seven loaves" emphasizes the specific, quantifiable, yet insufficient, nature of their provisions.
* **little fishes (Greek, _ichthýdion'_):** This is a diminutive form of the Greek word for fish (_ichthýs_), specifically emphasizing the smallness and scarcity of the fish. The use of this diminutive highlights the truly meager nature of the offering, making the subsequent multiplication by Jesus even more profound and miraculous. It underscores the contrast between human insufficiency and divine omnipotence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus saith unto them":** This phrase establishes Jesus as the initiator of the conversation, demonstrating His active role and compassionate concern for the multitude. It signals His direct engagement with the disciples, preparing them for the next step in His miraculous provision.
* **"How many loaves have ye?":** This is Jesus' direct question, a practical inquiry that forces the disciples to assess their current, limited resources. It is not a question born of ignorance, but one designed to draw out their confession of inadequacy and to highlight the starting point for God's miraculous intervention. It serves as a test of their faith and a reminder of their dependence on Him.
* **"And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes":** The disciples' response is a straightforward inventory of their meager provisions. The specific number "seven" and the description "a few little fishes" underscore the vast disparity between what they possess and what is needed to feed four thousand people, plus women and children. This honest admission of scarcity sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His power to transcend human limitations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Dialogue**, presenting a direct exchange between Jesus and His disciples, which immediately draws the reader into the scene and reveals the characters' perspectives. There is a subtle **Irony** in Jesus asking about the available food, given that He had just performed a similar miracle of feeding thousands with even less, highlighting the disciples' persistent lack of full comprehension or faith in His boundless power. The description of "a few little fishes" utilizes a **Diminutive** (from the Greek _ichthýdion_), which serves to emphasize the extreme scarcity of the resources, thereby magnifying the subsequent miracle. This also creates a powerful **Contrast** between the disciples' meager provisions and Jesus' impending abundant provision, underscoring the vast difference between human capability and divine omnipotence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:34 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that God's power is made perfect in human weakness, and His provision is not limited by our scarcity. It underscores the principle that God often asks us to bring what little we have, not to demonstrate our sufficiency, but to reveal His. This moment prefigures the greater spiritual provision found in Christ, who takes our brokenness and multiplies it into grace and redemption. It serves as a profound reminder that faith is not about the size of our resources, but the magnitude of the One to whom we offer them.

* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [2 Kings 4:42-44](/2_kings/4-42-44 "2 Kings 4:42-44 - Elisha Feeds One Hundred")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential for Pleasing God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This brief exchange in Matthew 15:34 holds profound implications for believers today. It challenges us to honestly assess what we possess—our time, talents, resources, and even our perceived limitations—and to bring them to Jesus without hesitation or reservation. Just as Jesus took the seven loaves and a few small fish and fed thousands, He can take what we offer, no matter how insignificant it seems, and use it for His glory and the good of many. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to trust in God's boundless power and provision, even when our own understanding or circumstances appear inadequate. It encourages a posture of humble surrender and radical faith, knowing that our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but in Christ, who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "loaves and little fishes" (resources, talents, time, or even weaknesses) do I currently possess that I might be hesitant to offer to Jesus?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to focus on my limitations rather than God's boundless power to multiply?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem impossible or my resources feel insufficient?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask the disciples how many loaves they had if He already knew?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not born out of ignorance but served several pedagogical purposes. Firstly, it was an invitation for the disciples to participate in the miracle, forcing them to take inventory of their meager resources and acknowledge their inadequacy. This process would highlight the vast gap between human capacity and divine power, making the subsequent miracle all the more impactful. Secondly, it was a test of their faith, prompting them to consider what they *did* have, rather than focusing on what they lacked. This mirrors the principle seen elsewhere in scripture where God asks for a small offering as a starting point for His great work ([2 Kings 4:1-7](/2_kings/4-1-7 "2 Kings 4:1-7 - Elisha and the Widow's Oil")). Finally, it prepared them to be witnesses and active participants in the miracle, distributing the multiplied food, which would solidify their understanding of Jesus' divine authority and compassion.

**What is the significance of 'seven' loaves and 'a few little fishes' in this account?**

Answer: The number "seven" in biblical numerology often symbolizes completeness or perfection, and its appearance here, contrasted with the "five" loaves in the feeding of the five thousand, might subtly emphasize the distinct, perhaps even more complete, nature of this second miracle, particularly in a Gentile region. The "few little fishes" (Greek _ichthýdion_, a diminutive) specifically highlights the extreme scarcity and smallness of the fish. This detail serves to accentuate the magnitude of Jesus' miracle. The combination of "seven loaves and a few little fishes" emphasizes the humble, insufficient starting point from which Jesus brought forth superabundant provision for thousands, underscoring that His power is not dependent on the quantity or quality of human resources, but on His divine nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:34, while a powerful display of Jesus' compassionate provision, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the **Bread of Life** and the **ultimate Provider**. The physical loaves and fish foreshadow the spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers to a spiritually hungry world. Just as He multiplied meager provisions to satisfy physical hunger, He offers Himself as the one who truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). This miracle in Decapolis, a Gentile region, also prefigures the expansive nature of Christ's redemptive work, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to encompass all nations. He is the Good Shepherd who not only provides for His sheep but lays down His life for them ([John 10:10-11](/john/10-10-11 "John 10:10-11 - The Good Shepherd")), ensuring abundant life and eternal sustenance. The disciples' initial lack of understanding, despite witnessing a previous miracle, underscores the ongoing need for faith in Christ, who is able to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" ([Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power Within Us")). Ultimately, this scene points to Jesus as the sympathetic High Priest who understands our physical and spiritual needs ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")) and provides for them out of His infinite grace and power.

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

Matthew 16:9

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

Matthew 16:10

Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Luke 24:41

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

Luke 24:42

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

John 21:9

As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

John 21:10

Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.