John 6:12

12 And when they were filled, he said to his disciples, Gather ye the remnants that be left [Gather ye the reliefs that be left], that they perish not.

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 Therefore Jesus saith, Make them sit to the meat [Make ye men to sit at the meat]. And there was much hay in the place. And so men sat to the meat, as five thousand in number [Therefore men sat at the meat, in number as five thousand].

11 And Jesus took [the] five loaves, and when he had done thankings, he parted to the men that sat to the meat [he parted to men sitting at the meat], and also of the fishes, as much as they would.

12 And when they were filled, he said to his disciples, Gather ye the remnants that be left [Gather ye the reliefs that be left], that they perish not.

13 And so they gathered, and filled twelve baskets of the remnant of the five barley loaves and two fishes [Therefore they gathered, and filled twelve coffins of reliefs of the five barley loaves and two fishes], that left to them that had eaten.

14 Therefore those men, when they had seen the sign [when they had seen the token, or miracle,] that he had done, said, For this is verily the prophet, that is to come into the world.