Matthew 15:34

34 Jesus asked, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They answered, "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 followers to him and said, "I feel sorry for these people, because they have already been with me three days, and they have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. They might faint while going home."

33 His followers asked him, "How can we get enough bread to feed all these people? We are far away from any town."

34 Jesus asked, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They answered, "Seven, and a few small fish."

35 Jesus told the people to sit on the ground.

36 He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God. Then he divided the food and gave it to his followers, and they gave it to the people.