Matthew 15:34

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

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 And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

33 And the disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude?

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

35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;

36 and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.