Matthew 15:34

34 And Jesus said to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes. [+And Jesus saith to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little 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, when his disciples were called together, said to them, I have ruth of the people, for they have abided now three days with me, and have nothing to eat; and I will not let them go fasting, lest they fail in the way. [+Forsooth Jesus said to his disciples called together, I have ruth of the company, for now three days they dwell still with me, and they have nothing that they shall eat; and I will not leave them fasting, lest they fail in the way.]

33 And the disciples say to him, Whereof then so many loaves among us in desert, to fulfill so great a people [that we fill so great a company]?

34 And Jesus said to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes. [+And Jesus saith to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.]

35 And he commanded the people, to sit to meat on the earth. [And he commanded the company, that they should sit to the meat on the earth.]

36 And he took the seven loaves and five fishes, and did thankings, and brake them, and gave to his disciples; and the disciples gave to the people.