John 6:12

12 When they were filled, he said to his talmidim, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost."

John 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 6:12

When they were filled
Had not only eaten, but had made a full meal, and were thoroughly satisfied, having eaten as much as they could, or chose to eat:

he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain,
that nothing be lost;
this he said, partly that the truth, reality, and greatness of the miracle might be clearly discerned; and partly, to teach frugality, that, in the midst of abundance, care be taken that nothing be lost of the good things which God gives; and which may be useful to other persons, or at another time.

John 6:12 In-Context

10 Yeshua said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11 Yeshua took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the talmidim, and the talmidim to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired.

12 When they were filled, he said to his talmidim, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost."

13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.

14 When therefore the people saw the sign which Yeshua did, they said, "This is truly the prophet who comes into the world."