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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 15:34 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/15-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_15_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 15:34 - The Feeding of the Four Thousand" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How many loaves do you have? Jesus asked. 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And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, &#8220How many loaves do you have?&#8221 And they said, &#8220Seven, and a few small fish.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus asked them, “How many loaves [of bread] do you have?” They replied, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“How many loaves do you have? ” Jesus asked them. “Seven,” they said, “and a few small fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220How many loaves do you have?&#8221 Jesus asked them.&#8221 Seven,&#8221 they said, &#8220and a few small fish.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked them how much food they had. They replied, "Seven small loaves of bread and a few little fish." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They answered, "Seven, and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"How much bread do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven loaves," they answered, "and a few small fish." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?How many loaves do you have?? Jesus asked. ?Seven,? they replied, ?and a few small fish.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They replied, "Seven--and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jesus saith to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they said, "and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jesus says to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fishes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus says to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jesus saith to them, 'How many loaves have ye?' and they said, 'Seven, and a few little fishes.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he says to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? But they said: Seven, and a few little fishes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” But they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, How many loaves of bread have you? They said to him, Seven, and a few small fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Yeshua said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said to him, “Seven, and a few small fish.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? They said: Seven, and a few little fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And Jesus says to them; <FR>How much bread have ye?<Fr> And they said, Seven loaves and a few fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus asked, how many loaves have ye? they reply'd, seven, and a few small fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they said, "and a few small fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And Jesus saith to them, <FR>"How many loaves have ye?"<Fr> And they said, "Seven, and a few little fishes."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And Jesus saith unto them, <FR>How many loaves have ye?<Fr> and they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/15-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4493" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">The Feeding of the Four Thousand</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">33</span>The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/4214.htm" title="4214: Posous (IPro-AMP) -- How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).">“How many</a> <a href="/greek/740.htm" title="740: artous (N-AMP) -- Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.">loaves</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echete (V-PIA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">do you have?” </a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">asked.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2033.htm" title="2033: Hepta (Adj-AMP) -- Seven. A primary number; seven.">“Seven,”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they replied,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“and</a> <a href="/greek/3641.htm" title="3641: oliga (Adj-ANP) -- Puny; especially neuter somewhat.">a few</a> <a href="/greek/2485.htm" title="2485: ichthydia (N-ANP) -- A small fish. Diminutive from ichthus; a petty fish.">small fish.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">35</span>And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17-21</a></span><br />“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-5.htm">Mark 8:5-9</a></span><br />“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. / They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9-13</a></span><br />“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">2 Kings 4:42-44</a></span><br />Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-38.htm">Mark 6:38-44</a></span><br />“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-5.htm">John 6:5-7</a></span><br />When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-13.htm">Luke 9:13-17</a></span><br />But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4-15</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” / So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-7.htm">Numbers 11:7-9</a></span><br />Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. / The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12-16</a></span><br />But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/21-9.htm">John 21:9-13</a></span><br />When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. / Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” / So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-9.htm">Matthew 16:9-10</a></span><br />Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? / Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a></span><br />He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Psalm 78:19-25</a></span><br />They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” / Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/132-15.htm">Psalm 132:15</a></span><br />I will bless her with abundant provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jesus said to them, How many loaves have you? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.</p><p class="hdg">How.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-9.htm">Matthew 16:9,10</a></b></br> Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? … </p><p class="hdg">few.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/24-41.htm">Luke 24:41,42</a></b></br> And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/21-9.htm">John 21:9,10</a></b></br> As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Few</a> <a href="/matthew/14-19.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/matthew/14-19.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/matthew/12-45.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Small</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Few</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/matthew/15-39.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Small</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-1.htm">Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees </a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-7.htm">for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-29.htm">and other great multitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>How many loaves do you have?</b><br>This question from Jesus highlights His method of involving His disciples in the miracle process, emphasizing their participation and faith. It echoes the earlier feeding of the five thousand (<a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17</a>), where Jesus also asked about available resources. This approach teaches reliance on God’s provision, even when resources seem insufficient. It also reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where God often uses what we already have to accomplish His purposes.<p><b>Jesus asked.</b><br>Jesus' inquiry demonstrates His intentionality and awareness of the situation. It shows His role as a teacher, guiding His disciples to recognize their dependence on divine provision. This moment is a precursor to the miracle, emphasizing Jesus' authority and His ability to provide abundantly. It also reflects His compassion for the crowd, as He seeks to meet their physical needs.<p><b>Seven,</b><br>The number seven is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or perfection. In this context, it may suggest the sufficiency of God's provision through Jesus. The use of seven loaves, despite being a small amount, foreshadows the miraculous abundance that will follow. This number also connects to the seven days of creation, indicating a divine act of provision and care.<p><b>they replied,</b><br>The disciples' response indicates their awareness of the limited resources, yet they present what they have to Jesus. This act of obedience and trust is crucial, as it sets the stage for the miracle. It reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses what is available, no matter how small, to accomplish His purposes (e.g., the widow's oil in <a href="/2_kings/4.htm">2 Kings 4:1-7</a>).<p><b>and a few small fish.</b><br>The mention of fish, along with the loaves, is reminiscent of the earlier feeding miracle. Fish were a common food source in Galilee, reflecting the local culture and economy. The smallness of the fish underscores the insufficiency of the resources, highlighting the magnitude of the miracle. This detail also points to Jesus' ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, providing abundantly for the needs of the people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one performing the miracle. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the teacher of His disciples.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>The followers of Jesus who are present with Him. They are learning from His teachings and witnessing His miracles.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>A large group of people who have been following Jesus, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles. They are in need of physical sustenance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_loaves_and_fish.htm">The Loaves and Fish</a></b><br>The small amount of food available, which Jesus uses to perform a miracle of multiplication to feed the crowd.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting of this event, a remote place where Jesus and the crowd have gathered, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_provision.htm">Divine Provision</a></b><br>Jesus demonstrates that God provides for our needs, even when resources seem insufficient. Trust in God's ability to multiply and provide.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The disciples' response to Jesus' question shows their reliance on Him. We are called to bring what we have to Jesus, trusting Him to use it for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_others.htm">Compassion for Others</a></b><br>Jesus' concern for the physical needs of the crowd teaches us to care for others' needs, both spiritual and physical.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_abundance.htm">God's Abundance</a></b><br>The miracle illustrates that God's resources are not limited by our circumstances. He can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/participation_in_god's_work.htm">Participation in God's Work</a></b><br>The disciples are involved in distributing the food, showing that God invites us to participate in His work of blessing others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_were_thousands_fed_with_7_loaves.htm">How could thousands be fed with only seven loaves and a few fish, and what evidence supports this event (Matthew 15:34–38)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_4,000_near_galilee.htm">Do any historical records or archaeological findings corroborate the gathering of 4,000 people near the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 15:32-38)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_5_loaves,_2_fish_feed_thousands.htm">In Matthew 14:15-21, how can five loaves and two fish realistically feed thousands of people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_elijah_last_40_days_on_one_meal.htm">How could Elijah survive 40 days and 40 nights on a single meal with no mention of additional nourishment? (1 Kings 19:8)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) <span class= "bld">Seven, and a few little fishes.</span>--The resemblance of the answer to that which had been given before is, at least, interesting as showing what was the provision habitually made by the travelling company of preachers for the supply of their daily wants. The few barley loaves and dried fishes, this was all their store, as they went from village to village, or passed days and nights on the hills of Galilee.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How many loaves have ye?</span> Jesus gives no formal answer to the apostles' hesitating question, but by a new interrogation leads them to expect his interposition. This was the prelude to the miracle. <span class="cmt_word">Seven, and a few little fishes.</span> They de not add, as on the former occasion, "But what are they among so many?" They have learned something from what had previously occurred. Whether this little store was what remained of their own supplies, or whether it was all they could find among the multitude, does not appear. From the indeterminate mention of the fish, we should suppose the latter to have been the case, as they would probably have mentioned the number of the fishes had they been their own. There may have been some contempt implied in the diminutive <span class="greek">ἰχθύδια</span>, "little fishes," as though these were scarcely worthy of notice. Dried fish was a staple commodity in the region. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/15-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“How many</span><br /><span class="grk">Πόσους</span> <span class="translit">(Posous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4214.htm">Strong's 4214: </a> </span><span class="str2">How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">loaves</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄρτους</span> <span class="translit">(artous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_740.htm">Strong's 740: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you have?”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχετε</span> <span class="translit">(echete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked.</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Seven,”</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἑπτά</span> <span class="translit">(Hepta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2033.htm">Strong's 2033: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven. A primary number; seven.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they replied,</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπαν</span> <span class="translit">(eipan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">a few</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀλίγα</span> <span class="translit">(oliga)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3641.htm">Strong's 3641: </a> </span><span class="str2">Puny; especially neuter somewhat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">small fish.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἰχθύδια</span> <span class="translit">(ichthydia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2485.htm">Strong's 2485: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small fish. Diminutive from ichthus; a petty fish.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/15-34.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 15:34 Jesus said to them How many loaves (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/15-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 15:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:35" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>