Matthew 15:34

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the biblical account of the "feeding of the four thousand," Jesus' second major miracle of multiplying food for a large multitude, distinct from the earlier feeding of the five thousand. It occurs in the region of Decapolis, a gentile area, after Jesus had ministered to a large crowd for three days. The people had run out of provisions, and Jesus, moved by compassion, did not want to send them away hungry (Matthew 15:32). In this verse, Jesus directly asks His disciples about the meager resources they possess, setting the stage for His miraculous intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Abundance: This verse highlights God's ability to provide abundantly, even from seemingly insignificant resources. Jesus' question about "how many loaves" and the disciples' response of "seven, and a few little fishes" underscores the scarcity that Jesus is about to transform into overflowing plenty.
  • Jesus' Compassion: The entire miracle is initiated by Jesus' deep empathy for the hungry crowd, demonstrating His loving concern for both the spiritual and physical needs of humanity.
  • Starting with What You Have: Jesus doesn't ask for what they lack, but for what they do have. This teaches a valuable lesson in faith: God can take our small offerings, talents, or resources and multiply them beyond our imagination when consecrated to Him.
  • The Disciples' Limited Understanding: Despite having witnessed a similar miracle before, the disciples still appear to be limited in their faith and understanding of Jesus' power, prompting His question about their available food. This serves as a recurring lesson about the need for persistent faith in God's boundless capabilities.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "a few little fishes" accurately translates the Greek word ichthydia (ἰχθύδια), which is a diminutive form, specifically emphasizing the smallness and scarcity of the fish. This detail further accentuates the magnitude of Jesus' miracle. It contrasts with the more general term for fish used elsewhere, drawing attention to the truly meager nature of the offering, making the subsequent multiplication even more profound.

Practical Application

Matthew 15:34 encourages believers to bring their limited resources, be they time, talent, or material possessions, to Jesus without hesitation. 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, much like the example of the boy with five barley loaves and two small fish in the first feeding miracle.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 16:9 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 16:10 (4 votes)

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

  • Luke 24:41 (3 votes)

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

  • Luke 24:42 (3 votes)

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

  • John 21:9 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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