Matthew 15:33

33 And his disciples say to him, `Whence to us, in a wilderness, so many loaves, as to fill so great a multitude?'

Matthew 15:33 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:33

And his disciples said unto him
The former miracle of feeding five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes, being quite out of their thoughts, they reply,

whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so
great a multitude?
The question is big with objections, and is put with some vehemency and astonishment: the people to be led were a multitude, a great multitude, a very great multitude, and these too had had but little, or no food, for a great while; and therefore would require the more to fill and satisfy them; and besides, it was a wilderness where they were, and where no provisions were to be had; and if they could have been got for money, they had not stock enough to purchase such a large number of loaves, as were necessary to feed so great a company with.

Matthew 15:33 In-Context

31 so that the multitudes did wonder, seeing dumb ones speaking, maimed whole, lame walking, and blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
32 And Jesus having called near his disciples, said, `I have compassion upon the multitude, because now three days they continue with me, and they have not what they may eat; and to let them away fasting I will not, lest they faint in the way.'
33 And his disciples say to him, `Whence to us, in a wilderness, so many loaves, as to fill so great a multitude?'
34 And Jesus saith to them, `How many loaves have ye?' and they said, `Seven, and a few little fishes.'
35 And he commanded the multitudes to sit down upon the ground,
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.