Matthew 15:34

34 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 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,

36 and having taken the seven loaves and the fishes, having given thanks, he did break, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.