Chapter
Verse

Matthew 15:34

ESV And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
NIV How many loaves do you have?' Jesus asked. 'Seven,' they replied, 'and a few small fish.'
NASB And Jesus *said to them, 'How many loaves do you have?' And they said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.'
CSB "How many loaves do you have? " Jesus asked them."Seven," they said, "and a few small fish."
NLT Jesus asked, 'How much bread do you have?' They replied, 'Seven loaves, and a few small fish.'
KJV And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

What does Matthew 15:34 mean?

Just as with the last miraculous feeding of a huge crowd (Matthew 14:13–21), Jesus responds to the idea that there are not enough resources to feed the crowd by asking the disciples to inventory how much food they do have (Matthew 15:32–33). The amount is strangely similar: They have seven loaves and a few fish.

In both cases, Jesus makes use of the little the disciples have, turning it into abundance. God will do this for them throughout their years of ministry, carrying the gospel of Jesus around the world; He will take their little strength and knowledge and ability and turn it into more than enough to cover the world with citizens of the kingdom of heaven (John 14:12). This miracle emphasizes that this mission will be truly worldwide, applying to the Gentile world just as much as to Israel.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: