Matthew 15:34

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

Matthew 15:34 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:34

And Jesus saith unto them
In a very mild and gentle manner, taking no notice of their stupidity, nor upbraiding them with their forgetfulness of the late miracle, and willing to exercise their patience, and try their faith, asks,

how many loaves have ye?
meaning in the common stock, and which they brought along with them, for their own supply:

and they said seven, and a few little fishes;
which they mention as so small a provision, that it was as nothing for such multitudes; their loaves of bread were but seven, and their fishes, which were ready dressed, dried, or boiled were few in number, and small, as to quantity and size.

Matthew 15:34 In-Context

32 Now Jesus summoned His disciples and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they've already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry; otherwise they might collapse on the way."

33 The disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in this desolate place to fill such a crowd?"

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

35 After commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground,

36 He took the seven loaves and the fish, and He gave thanks, broke them, and kept on giving them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds.