John 6 11

John 6:11 kjv

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

John 6:11 nkjv

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

John 6:11 niv

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

John 6:11 esv

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

John 6:11 nlt

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.

John 6 verses

John 6 11 Meaning

John 6:11 describes Jesus' action of distributing the food during the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. It illustrates His divine authority, compassionate provision, and the transformative power He brings. By taking the meager offerings, giving thanks to the Father, and then distributing through His disciples, Jesus demonstrates that true nourishment—both physical and spiritual—comes from God, mediated through Him. The abundance that followed, where all ate "as much as they wanted," signifies His boundless capacity to satisfy every need. This miracle serves as a tangible demonstration of His later teaching as the "Bread of Life," pointing to Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance.

John 6 11 Context

John chapter 6 begins with Jesus attracting a large crowd due to the signs (miracles) He was performing. He then goes up on a mountain with His disciples, and seeing a great crowd approaching, Jesus proactively asks Philip how they might buy food for such a multitude, testing him. Andrew points out a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, acknowledging the inadequacy of such a meager offering for so many. Verse 11 immediately follows this discussion, depicting Jesus taking control of the situation and performing the miracle. This feeding miracle sets the stage for the pivotal "Bread of Life" discourse that dominates the rest of the chapter, where Jesus transitions from providing physical food to proclaiming Himself as the spiritual bread from heaven, superior to the manna of the wilderness. The chapter concludes with many disciples finding His teaching too difficult, underscoring the spiritual depths of this physical miracle.

John 6 11 Word analysis

• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The proper name for the Son of God. His identity underlines the divine origin and power behind the miracle. It emphasizes His sovereign initiative and authority in meeting needs.
• took (ἔλαβεν - elaben): An active and deliberate verb. Jesus actively takes the available, insufficient resources. This signifies His willingness to use small things to accomplish great works, and that nothing is truly His until He "takes" it into His divine purpose.
• the loaves (τοὺς ἄρτους - tous artous): Referring specifically to the five barley loaves. Barley loaves were common, simple food, often associated with the poor. The insignificance of the amount highlights the magnitude of the miracle to follow.
• and when he had given thanks (καὶ εὐχαριστήσας - kai eucharistesas): This is a key phrase. "Eucharistesas" is related to the word "Eucharist," emphasizing the solemn, sacred nature of the act. Jesus' giving thanks acknowledges God the Father as the ultimate provider and source of all blessings. This sets a divine example of gratitude and dependence on God's provision before consuming food, transforming a mundane act into a sacred one. It foreshadows the institution of the Lord's Supper.
• he distributed (διέδωκεν - diedōken): Jesus Himself initiates the distribution, though other Gospels clarify it was done through His disciples. This highlights the orderliness and delegation in God's provision. It wasn't a chaotic grab, but an orderly giving.
• to those who were seated (τοῖς ἀνακειμένοις - tois anakeimenois): Describes the posture of the crowd, reclining as for a banquet. This implies a peaceful, orderly, and expectant atmosphere, rather than a desperate mob. It suggests a ready acceptance of the forthcoming provision.
• likewise also of the fish (ὁμοίως καὶ ἐκ τῶν ὀψαρίων - homoiōs kai ek tōn opsariōn): "Opsarion" (little fish/relish) was typically eaten with bread. This ensures that the miracle extends to all available food items, demonstrating complete provision and underscoring that the abundance wasn't limited to one food type.
• as much as they wanted (ὅσον ἤθελον - hoson ēthelon): This phrase underscores the incredible abundance and complete satisfaction provided by Jesus. It wasn't merely enough; it was lavish. This highlights His limitless provision, surpassing all human need or expectation, and counters any thought of scarcity. It is a polemic against the idea that God provides minimally, instead showing He gives generously.

Words-group analysis:

• "Jesus took... and when he had given thanks... he distributed": This sequence reveals Jesus' three essential actions: taking human resources (however meager), consecrating them through thanksgiving to God, and then freely giving them. This process exemplifies divine blessing: God uses what is offered to Him, multiplies it, and dispenses it.
• "distributed them to those who were seated... as much as they wanted": This highlights the effective, orderly, and bountiful nature of Jesus' provision. It emphasizes that those who humble themselves and are ready to receive from Him will be fully satisfied, experiencing superabundance.

John 6 11 Bonus section

The nature of the loaves being barley loaves in particular has significance. Barley was considered a poorer person's crop and thus less desirable than wheat. This emphasizes that Jesus multiplied the humblest of offerings, demonstrating that God can take our meager resources, efforts, or faith and turn them into something vastly more significant than we could ever imagine. This event serves as a clear counter-narrative to the idea of scarcity. Before Jesus, there was limited food for a massive crowd; after Jesus, there was not only enough, but abundant leftovers (Jn 6:13), signifying His limitless capacity to meet all needs, physically and spiritually, often exceeding what is expected.

John 6 11 Commentary

John 6:11 presents a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of Jesus revealing His identity as the Christ. The seemingly simple acts of taking, giving thanks, and distributing bread and fish are pregnant with profound theological significance. Jesus' act of giving thanks transforms the meager offering into a divine provision, echoing the blessing of meals in Jewish tradition, yet surpassing it through miraculous multiplication. This is not merely an act of kindness but a demonstration of His divine power over creation. The provision of food to "as much as they wanted" transcends simple necessity, pointing to the limitless grace and generosity found in God.

Furthermore, this passage lays crucial groundwork for the "Bread of Life" discourse. The physical bread points to a greater spiritual reality. Jesus, the ultimate "Bread of Life," provides satisfaction for the deepest hungers of the human soul. The very language used for "giving thanks" (eucharistesas) resonates with the Last Supper, establishing a strong connection to the Eucharist. Just as Jesus gives physical bread to nourish their bodies, He offers His own body as the spiritual bread for eternal life. The participation of the disciples in distributing the food also subtly introduces their future role in mediating Christ's life-giving truth to the world.