Matthew 15:38

KJV

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that did eat {G2068} were {G2258} four thousand {G5070} men {G435}, beside {G5565} women {G1135} and {G2532} children {G3813}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those eating numbered four thousand men, plus women and children.

Berean Standard Bible

A total of four thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:38 serves as the concluding statement to Jesus' second miraculous feeding of a large multitude, often distinguished as the "feeding of the four thousand." This verse precisely quantifies the number of adult males who partook in the meal, explicitly noting that this figure excludes women and children, thereby underscoring the immense scale of Jesus' compassionate provision and His divine power to create abundance from scarcity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 15:38 culminates the narrative found in [Matthew 15:29-38](/matthew/15-29-38 "Jesus Heals and Feeds the Four Thousand"). This account immediately follows Jesus' withdrawal to the region of Decapolis, where He healed many people, leading to the crowds glorifying the God of Israel. The feeding miracle itself begins with Jesus' compassion for the multitude who had been with Him for three days and had nothing to eat ([Matthew 15:32](/matthew/15-32 "Jesus' Compassion for the Hungry Crowd")). He takes seven loaves and a few small fish, gives thanks, breaks them, and instructs His disciples to distribute the food. The verse directly precedes Jesus sending the crowds away and then departing by boat to Magadan ([Matthew 15:39](/matthew/15-39 "Jesus Departs to Magadan")). This event is notably distinct from the earlier feeding of the five thousand recorded in [Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "The Feeding of the Five Thousand"), differing in the initial amount of food (seven loaves vs. five), the number of baskets of leftovers (seven vs. twelve), and the specific locations, reinforcing that Matthew presents two separate, yet similarly miraculous, acts of provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this miracle is likely the Decapolis region, a Gentile area east of the Sea of Galilee. This geographical detail is significant because it suggests that a substantial portion of the fed crowd may have been Gentiles, highlighting Jesus' ministry extending beyond Jewish boundaries. In ancient Near Eastern and Roman cultures, when counting large groups for purposes such as military census or public gatherings, it was common practice to enumerate only adult males. The phrase "beside women and children" (Greek: *chōrís gynaikōn kai paidíōn*) reflects this cultural norm, meaning the actual total number of individuals present was considerably higher than the stated four thousand, potentially numbering well over ten thousand people. This method of counting was not meant to diminish the presence or importance of women and children but rather to provide a standard, quantifiable measure for the adult male population.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 15:38 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates **Divine Provision**, showcasing Jesus' limitless power to meet physical needs in extraordinary ways, transforming scarcity into abundance. This miracle underscores God's faithfulness to sustain His people, echoing Old Testament accounts of miraculous provision like the manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Manna in the Wilderness")) or Elisha feeding one hundred men ([2_kings/4-42-44](/2-kings/4-42-44 "Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men")). Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Compassion**, as the miracle is explicitly motivated by His deep concern for the weary and hungry crowd ([Matthew 15:32](/matthew/15-32 "Jesus' Compassion for the Hungry Crowd")). This compassion is a hallmark of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His identification with human suffering and His active desire to alleviate it. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Vastness of the Multitude** and the comprehensive nature of Jesus' care. By specifying the number of men and adding the crucial qualifier "beside women and children," the text impresses upon the reader the truly immense scale of the miracle, reinforcing the boundless scope of Christ's power and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **did eat (Greek, _esthíō'_):** This verb signifies the act of consuming food, typically in a literal sense. In the context of Matthew 15:38, it emphasizes that the four thousand men, along with the uncounted women and children, physically partook of the miraculously provided meal, indicating a tangible and satisfying experience of divine provision.
* **four thousand (Greek, _tetrakischílioi'_):** This compound word literally means "four times a thousand." It precisely quantifies the number of adult males who were fed. The specificity of this number, in contrast to the "five thousand" of the earlier miracle, highlights the distinctness of this event and underscores the immense scale of Jesus' power to feed such a vast crowd.
* **beside (Greek, _chōrís'_):** This adverb and preposition means "at a space," "separately," or "apart from." Its inclusion is crucial for understanding the true scope of the miracle, as it explicitly states that the count of "four thousand men" does not include the women and children also present and fed. This detail significantly increases the estimated total number of individuals who received sustenance from Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that did eat were four thousand men,"**: This clause provides the primary numerical detail of the miracle's recipients. It focuses on the adult male population, a common method of counting in the ancient world. The verb "did eat" confirms the physical act of consumption, emphasizing the reality of the provision. The "four thousand" highlights the substantial number of individuals directly accounted for, showcasing the magnitude of Jesus' miraculous power.
* **"beside women and children."**: This crucial qualifying phrase expands the scope of the miracle beyond the stated four thousand. The word "beside" (Greek: *chōrís*) clearly indicates that the women and children were present and also ate, but were not included in the primary count. This implies that the total number of people fed was significantly larger, likely well over ten thousand, amplifying the impressive nature of Jesus' abundant provision and compassion for all members of the multitude.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Numerical Precision** is evident in the specific mention of "four thousand men," which, while seemingly precise, is immediately qualified by **Understatement** or **Synecdoche** (a part representing the whole) through the phrase "beside women and children." This common ancient counting method, by enumerating only adult males, implicitly suggests a much larger total, thereby emphasizing the immense scale of Jesus' miracle without explicitly stating an overwhelming number. The **Contrast** with the earlier feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14) serves to highlight both the distinctness of this event and the consistent, repeated nature of Jesus' divine power and compassion. The very act of feeding such a vast, diverse crowd from so little food is a powerful **Symbolism** of God's limitless provision and His ability to meet every human need, both physical and spiritual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:38 stands as a powerful testament to the boundless compassion and divine authority of Jesus Christ, echoing themes of God's miraculous provision found throughout Scripture. It showcases a God who not only creates but also sustains His creation, demonstrating His intimate concern for the physical well-being of humanity. This miracle, like the manna in the wilderness, serves as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant people and to all who seek Him. It underscores the truth that Jesus is the ultimate source of all sustenance, capable of meeting needs far beyond human capacity or expectation. The inclusion of women and children, though uncounted, reinforces the comprehensive nature of God's care, extending to every individual regardless of status or age.

* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")
* [2 Kings 4:42-44](/2-kings/4-42-44 "Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:38 invites us to reflect deeply on the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ: a God of immense compassion and limitless provision. In a world often marked by scarcity, anxiety, and a feeling of insufficiency, this verse offers a profound counter-narrative. It reminds us that our Lord sees our needs, even before we articulate them, and He possesses the power and willingness to meet them abundantly. For believers, this instills a deeper trust in God's faithfulness, encouraging us to bring our anxieties and lacks to Him, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. It challenges us to move beyond a mindset of scarcity and embrace the reality of God's overflowing grace. Furthermore, Jesus' example of compassion in this miracle calls us to action. Just as He was moved by the hunger of the crowd, we are called to be attentive to the needs of those around us, to share what we have, and to participate in God's work of provision and care in our communities, trusting that even our small offerings can be multiplied by His hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detail "beside women and children" deepen your appreciation for Jesus' compassion and the scale of His miracle?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a sense of scarcity, and how can the truth of Jesus' provision in Matthew 15:38 encourage your faith?**
* **How might you, empowered by Christ's example, become an instrument of God's provision and compassion for others in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "four thousand men, beside women and children" count?**

Answer: The significance lies in two main aspects. First, it highlights the immense scale of Jesus' miracle. In ancient cultures, when large groups were counted, it was common practice to enumerate only adult males. Therefore, stating "four thousand men, beside women and children" means that the actual number of people fed was considerably larger, likely well over ten thousand individuals. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Jesus' power to provide. Second, it distinguishes this miracle from the earlier feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "The Feeding of the Five Thousand")), which also counted only men. The distinct numbers (4,000 vs. 5,000) and other details (e.g., seven baskets of leftovers vs. twelve) confirm that these were two separate, yet equally impressive, acts of divine provision, underscoring Jesus' consistent compassion and power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:38, while detailing a physical miracle of provision, profoundly points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of all sustenance, fulfilling the deepest hunger of humanity. Just as He miraculously provided physical bread for the hungry multitude, He declares Himself to be the "Bread of Life" who satisfies spiritual hunger eternally ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus: The Bread of Life")). This miracle foreshadows His ultimate act of self-giving, where His body was broken and His blood shed as the true, life-giving sustenance for the world. The compassion Jesus showed for the physically hungry crowd in Decapolis, a potentially Gentile region, also prefigures His universal mission to gather all peoples—Jew and Gentile—into His kingdom, offering spiritual nourishment to everyone who believes ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love for the World")). He is not merely a provider of temporary relief but the eternal provision, the one who gives "living water" so that those who drink will never thirst again ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "Jesus Offers Living Water")). Thus, this account of feeding the four thousand becomes a powerful illustration of Christ's comprehensive care, extending from physical needs to the eternal salvation and spiritual nourishment found only in Him.

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.