Matthew 15:34

34 Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, 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 Jesus called his disciples to him, and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way."

33 The disciples said to him, "Where should we get so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude?"

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

35 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;

36 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.