John 6 13

John 6:13 kjv

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

John 6:13 nkjv

Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:13 niv

So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:13 esv

So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

John 6:13 nlt

So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

John 6 verses

John 6 13 Meaning

John 6:13 describes the collection of leftover fragments after Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand. This act demonstrates Jesus' abundant power and divine provision, ensuring that nothing given by God is wasted. The twelve baskets filled with substantial pieces symbolize a surplus that far exceeded the initial resources, confirming Jesus' authority as the great Provider and pointing to His capacity to nourish all of God's people, represented by the twelve tribes of Israel.

John 6 13 Context

John 6:13 concludes the narrative of Jesus feeding the five thousand, the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels (Jn 6:1-15, Mt 14:13-21, Mk 6:30-44, Lk 9:10-17). The preceding verses establish a setting where a large crowd has followed Jesus, who, out of compassion, sees their need for food. With only five barley loaves and two small fish, provided by a boy, Jesus takes the food, gives thanks, and distributes it, miraculously feeding everyone. Verse 12 explicitly records Jesus' command to His disciples: "Gather up the fragments so that nothing will be lost." This command directly precedes the action described in verse 13.

The broader context of John 6 continues with Jesus' discourse on the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:22-59), where He reveals that He Himself is the true bread from heaven, superior to the manna in the wilderness, and that spiritual life comes through Him. The feeding miracle, therefore, serves as a significant "sign" (Jn 6:26), pointing beyond physical nourishment to the deeper spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers. Historically, this event took place in a Jewish cultural setting, where stories of miraculous provision (like manna or Elisha feeding the 100) resonated deeply with expectations of a prophetic figure or the Messiah. The command to gather leftovers, even after abundance, reflects both good stewardship and perhaps an intentional display of the magnitude of the miracle.

John 6 13 Word analysis

• So they gathered them up (συνήγαγον οὖν – synēgagan oun):
  • synēgagan means "they gathered together." It implies a purposeful and organized collection, not a casual cleanup. This demonstrates immediate obedience to Jesus' preceding command in Jn 6:12, showing disciple training in stewardship and the orderly nature of God's work.
  • oun "therefore" or "so" links this action directly to Jesus' command.
• and filled (καὶ ἐπλήρωσαν – kai eplērōsan):
  • Signifies a complete filling, not just a partial collection. This emphasizes the sheer quantity of the leftovers, reinforcing the abundance of the miracle.
• twelve baskets (δώδεκα κοφίνους – dodeka kophinous):
  • Twelve (δώδεκα – dodeka): Highly symbolic. Represents the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. It suggests that this miraculous provision, though offered to a large multitude, is specifically abundant for God's chosen people, ensuring no spiritual lack for His church. It connects the Old Covenant provision with the New.
  • Baskets (κοφίνους – kophinous): Kophinos was a common word for a small wicker basket or hand-basket, often associated with Jewish people and travelers for carrying provisions (sometimes specific for keeping ritually clean food). Its use distinguishes this miracle from the feeding of the 4,000 where spyris (a larger basket, like a hamper) is used, highlighting precise detail in the Gospel accounts.
• with the pieces (κλασμάτων – klasmatōn):
  • Means "broken pieces" or "fragments." These were not mere crumbs but substantial remnants, further accentuating the generosity and power of Jesus' miracle. It indicates more food remained than was originally started with, challenging human logic and highlighting divine surplus.
• from the five barley loaves (ἐκ τῶν πέντε ἄρτων τῶν κριθίνων – ek tōn pente artōn tōn krithīnōn):
  • Five (πέντε – pente): A small, finite number highlighting the stark contrast with the multitude fed and the massive surplus collected. It emphasizes the ex nihilo (out of nothing, or out of very little) nature of the miracle.
  • Barley loaves (ἄρτων τῶν κριθίνων – artōn tōn krithīnōn): Barley was a common, inexpensive grain, often associated with the poor and used for basic food. Mentioning it emphasizes the humble starting point, making the superabundant outcome even more astonishing. It implicitly contrasts with wheat, a finer grain, showcasing God's power to use the seemingly insignificant.
• that had been left (ἃ ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν – ha hyperperisseusen):
  • hyperperisseusen is a compound word meaning "super-abounded" or "exceeded by much." This intense word powerfully communicates the overflowing and abundant nature of the leftovers, going beyond mere "remaining." It underscores that the provision wasn't just enough but gloriously more than enough, affirming the divine origin of the bread.
• by those who had eaten (τοῖς βεβρωκόσιν – tois bebroskosin):
  • Clarifies that the fragments were what remained after everyone was fully satisfied. This is key, as it indicates the surplus was not due to people not eating enough, but because of the incredible generosity of the supply.

John 6 13 Bonus section

The distinction between kophinos (the type of basket used here) and spyris (the larger basket used in the feeding of the four thousand in Matt 15:32-39 and Mark 8:1-10) is a subtle yet significant detail highlighted by scholars. This careful differentiation across the Gospel narratives suggests authenticity and the precise nature of the events, implying two distinct miracles rather than merely two accounts of the same event. The consistent reporting of kophinos for the 5,000 and spyris for the 4,000 indicates a precise historical memory of the specific type of container the disciples possessed or used for each occasion.

Furthermore, the "fragments" (klasmatōn) are sometimes interpreted in theological discourse as a symbol of God's economy—that every particle of God's grace and blessing is valuable and useful, never to be discarded. This can be practically applied to spiritual life, urging believers to appreciate and make use of even the smallest gifts, truths, or opportunities from God, as nothing from Him is insignificant. It implies an orderly universe and a Creator who wastes nothing and designs everything for purpose.

John 6 13 Commentary

John 6:13 concludes one of Jesus' most iconic miracles, the feeding of the five thousand. The detail about gathering twelve baskets of leftovers serves as a crucial, multi-layered commentary on Jesus' divine nature. Firstly, it unmistakably proves the magnitude and superabundance of the miracle; not only did everyone eat until they were satisfied from a meager meal of five barley loaves, but an astonishing surplus remained. This highlights God's inexhaustible provision, a stark contrast to human limitations. The twelve baskets are profoundly symbolic, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, suggesting that Jesus' provision is not random but divinely ordered and destined for the whole of God's people. Nothing that comes from Him, not even "fragments" (klasmatōn), is to be wasted, revealing Jesus' teachings on good stewardship and the sacredness of even small provisions. The deliberate act of collection, following Jesus' direct command, teaches discipleship—attentiveness to detail, appreciation for divine gifts, and resourcefulness. Ultimately, this tangible overflow of bread serves as a powerful pointer, a "sign," to Jesus Himself as the true "Bread of Life" who provides spiritual nourishment far exceeding any physical hunger, eternally and without lack. This incident also stands as a testament against skepticism, providing tangible evidence of a miraculous transformation of very little into very much, thereby reinforcing the authenticity of Jesus' claim to be the ultimate provider for both body and soul.