Matthew 15 34

Matthew 15:34 kjv

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

Matthew 15:34 nkjv

Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish."

Matthew 15:34 niv

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

Matthew 15:34 esv

And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

Matthew 15:34 nlt

Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?" They replied, "Seven loaves, and a few small fish."

Matthew 15 verses

Matthew 15 34 Meaning

This verse records Jesus' practical inquiry to His disciples about their available food resources for the hungry crowd, followed by their honest inventory. It establishes the critical scarcity of human provisions (seven loaves and a few small fish) in the face of immense need, setting the immediate stage for a divine multiplication miracle. The exchange highlights the contrast between finite human capability and infinite divine sufficiency, demonstrating Jesus' compassionate awareness of physical needs and His subsequent miraculous provision.

Matthew 15 34 Context

This verse occurs after Jesus has engaged in significant ministry, particularly in Gentile regions near the Sea of Galilee. Chapters 14-15 of Matthew showcase Jesus' compassionate healing of many people, attracting large crowds who had followed Him for three days into a desolate area (Mt 15:29-30). This particular scene follows Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees regarding their traditions over God's commands (Mt 15:1-20) and the healing of the Canaanite woman's daughter, highlighting His expanding mission beyond just Israel (Mt 15:21-28). The crowd is now exhausted and hungry. Jesus, aware of their physical need, initiates the conversation by asking about the available food. This is the second instance of a large-scale feeding miracle, distinct from the feeding of the five thousand. Unlike the previous one which took place in Jewish territory, this event is generally considered to be in the Decapolis, a region predominantly populated by Gentiles, thus emphasizing Jesus' compassion and provision for all peoples.

Matthew 15 34 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - kai): A conjunction, connecting this inquiry directly to Jesus' previous statement of compassion for the hungry multitude (Mt 15:32).
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The central figure; His compassionate character is implicit in His concern for the crowd's physical well-being.
• said (λέγει - legei): Present tense, indicating a direct, immediate question. It's an active inquiry from Jesus, not a passive observation.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to His disciples. Jesus involves His disciples in assessing the situation, prompting them to face the apparent impossibility from a human perspective.
• "How many (Πόσους - Pousous): An interrogative pronoun, specifically asking about quantity. It compels a numerical answer, contrasting sharply with the unknown multitude.
• loaves (ἄρτους - artous): Greek: artos, meaning "bread" or "loaves of bread." It represents basic sustenance. Jesus' question focuses on the primary food source available.
• do you have (ἔχετε - echete): Greek: echō, "to have" or "possess." It's a direct question about their current, limited provisions.
• They (οἱ δὲ - hoi de): Refers to the disciples, who respond to Jesus' inquiry.
• said (εἶπαν - eipan): Greek: eipon, past tense of "to say," indicating their direct answer.
• "Seven (Ἑπτά - Hepta): The number seven. This number holds significant symbolic weight in the Bible, often representing completion, perfection, fullness, or divine integrity (e.g., seven days of creation, seven spirits of God, seven churches). In the context of this miracle, particularly among a likely Gentile crowd, it may symbolize completeness or sufficiency for all nations, differing from the "five" loaves in the previous feeding miracle.
• and a few (ὀλίγους - oligous): Greek: oligos, meaning "little," "small," "few," or "insignificant." This highlights the very limited nature of the fish, underscoring the inadequacy of the resources for so many people.
• small fish (ἰχθύας - ichthyas): Greek: ichthys, plural of "fish." These were supplementary items, often a side dish with bread. Their "fewness" combined with the small number of loaves emphasizes the utter human insufficiency.

Words-group analysis

• "How many loaves do you have?": This question serves as an important rhetorical device. Jesus already knows their limited resources (compare with Jn 6:6), but He asks to engage the disciples, make them aware of their lack, and prompt their trust in divine power. It underscores the practical problem before revealing the supernatural solution.
• "Seven, and a few small fish.": This precise and humble answer directly acknowledges the insufficiency of human means. The number "seven" becomes especially significant in contrast to the earlier feeding of five thousand with "five loaves and two fish," leading some scholars to highlight distinctions between the two miracles (e.g., the symbolism of 7 baskets vs. 12 baskets of leftovers in relation to Gentiles vs. Jews).

Matthew 15 34 Bonus section

• Symbolic Nuances of Numbers: The two feeding miracles in Matthew (14:15-21 and 15:32-39) present distinct numerical details. The first (5 loaves, 2 fish, 5000 fed, 12 baskets left) often points to the sufficiency of Jesus for Israel (12 tribes). The second (7 loaves, few fish, 4000 fed, 7 baskets left) often signifies sufficiency for the Gentiles (7 often representing universality or completion for the nations, perhaps reflecting the sevenfold perfect work of God). This numerical distinction supports the idea that Jesus' ministry was inclusive of all, demonstrating His care for both Jewish and Gentile crowds.
• Active Discipleship: Jesus’ question also prompts the disciples to actively participate in the solution rather than merely observe. He involved them in the initial assessment of the problem and would subsequently involve them in distributing the miraculous meal, emphasizing their role as ministers of His compassion and provision.
• Recollection and Learning: Later, Jesus would rebuke His disciples for their forgetfulness concerning these two distinct feeding miracles (Mk 8:14-21, Mt 16:9-10), specifically referring to the different numbers of loaves and baskets. This implies that understanding the significance of these numbers was a key lesson for the disciples in discerning His power and mission.

Matthew 15 34 Commentary

Matthew 15:34 marks the pivotal point where the immediate need meets a confession of scarcity, just before the display of Christ's limitless provision. Jesus' question is not born of ignorance but of pedagogy; He wants the disciples to realize the scale of the problem (thousands of hungry people) versus the triviality of their resources. Their reply, "Seven, and a few small fish," is an honest assessment of human inadequacy, paving the way for the dramatic contrast with God's abounding supply. This event profoundly illustrates Jesus' divine power to create out of almost nothing, mirroring God's provision in the Old Testament, such as the manna in the wilderness or Elisha feeding the hundred with meager provisions. Furthermore, the number "seven" for the loaves and baskets of leftovers (Mt 15:37) is often interpreted symbolically to denote completeness and sufficiency, especially as this miracle occurs in a Gentile region. It powerfully conveys that Jesus' saving compassion and boundless power extend not only to Israel but to all people, providing for their deepest physical and spiritual needs. Practically, it teaches us to be honest about our limitations, knowing that in our weakness, God's strength is made perfect (2 Cor 12:9). When faced with overwhelming challenges, our response should be to present our meager resources to Christ, trusting in His power to transform them into abundant solutions.