“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Andrew points out the boy's meager provisions, highlighting the sheer inadequacy of five barley loaves and two small fish for such a vast crowd. This detail emphasizes how unlikely any solution would seem to human eyes, underscoring the radical nature of the miracle to come.
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just miraculously fed a huge crowd of over five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five barley loaves and two small fish. The disciples, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, are trying to figure out how to feed them all, and Philip expresses the immense cost involved. Andrew then points out the meager provisions a young boy has, highlighting their inadequacy for such a multitude.
Imagine being in a crowd of thousands, hungry and far from any town. Then, someone points to a young boy with a meager lunch. What can he possibly offer?
The story highlights the humble beginnings of this miracle. Andrew points to a 'lad' – a young boy, perhaps a servant or just a kid who brought his own lunch. The food itself is described as 'barley loaves' and 'two small fishes.'
Andrew's question, 'what are they among so many?' perfectly captures the discouraging scarcity from a human perspective. It’s a stark contrast to the massive need before them.
The disciples saw a problem. Jesus saw an opportunity to reveal His unlimited provision. How does He transform a little into more than enough?
While the disciples focused on the impossibility of feeding the crowd, Jesus focused on His ability to provide.
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This isn't just about physical food; it points to Jesus as the Bread of Life, who can satisfy the deepest spiritual hunger in ways that far surpass our limited resources.
Understand the original words
paidarion · Greek Noun
A small, immature male child; in this context, it highlights the humble and seemingly insufficient nature of the offering provided, setting the stage for a divine miracle.
krithinous · Greek Adjective
Barley was typically considered the food of the poor and animals, contrasted with the more expensive wheat. Its mention emphasizes the humble status of the offering brought to Jesus.
This event takes place during Jesus' Galilean ministry, shortly before the Passover, and is deliberately placed by John to highlight Jesus' divine power and his subsequent discourse about being the 'Bread of Life,' a teaching that caused many to desert him.
c. AD 27
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, drawing large crowds with his teachings and miracles. This period marks the start of significant religious and social attention on his activities.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Arrested
Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist. This event causes Jesus to withdraw temporarily from public view in Judea, moving more into Galilee.
c. AD 29
Passover Feast Near
The Passover feast is approaching, a major pilgrimage festival for Jews. Many people are traveling or preparing to travel to Jerusalem.
c. AD 29
Jesus Withdraws to Sea of Galilee
Jesus moves across the Sea of Galilee to a remote, mountainous area to seek a quiet place with his disciples, especially after hearing of John the Baptist's death.
c. AD 29— this verse
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over five thousand men, plus women and children, with five barley loaves and two small fish, demonstrating his power and compassion.
c. AD 29
Discourse on the Bread of Life
Following the miracle, Jesus delivers a profound discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, identifying himself as the true bread from heaven, leading to many disciples leaving him.
This passage shows a similar scarcity where a widow had only a handful of flour and a little oil, yet it was miraculously multiplied to sustain her and her son, mirroring the theme of divine provision from meager resources.
2 Kings 4:43In this account, Elisha fed a hundred men with twenty loaves of barley and some grain, demonstrating God's power to multiply food for a large group from a seemingly insufficient supply.
Matthew 14:17This parallel account in Matthew highlights the disciples' initial assessment of the disciples' limited resources (five loaves and two fish) before Jesus intervenes, emphasizing the human perspective of impossibility.
Psalm 78:19-20This Psalm questions God's ability to provide for Israel in the wilderness, which God answers by giving them bread from heaven, illustrating God's sovereign power to supply even when human resources are absent.
1 Corinthians 1:27Paul discusses how God chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and strong, which directly relates to Jesus using a boy's small offering to accomplish a great miracle.
calvinJohn 6:1-13: "After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias."
- Afterwards, Jesus went across the sea of Galilee, which is called (the sea) of Tiberias. 2. And a great multitude followed him, because they had seen his miracles, which he performed on those who were diseased. 3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there sat down with his disciples. 4. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5. Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes, and seeing t…
bengelJohn 6:9: "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"
John 6:9 . Παιδάριον , a lad ) Therefore the load was not a heavy one, consisting of five loaves, especially as there were fishes in addition.— ἕν , one [So [115][116] Vulg. But [117][118][119][120][121] omit ἓν ]) There was no other source of supply.— κριθίνους ) Barley loaves seem to have been smaller than wheaten loaves. Jdg 7:13 , [The Midianite’s dream] “A cake of barley b…
Andrew points out the boy's meager provisions, highlighting the sheer inadequacy of five barley loaves and two small fish for such a vast crowd. This detail emphasizes how unlikely any solution would seem to human eyes, underscoring the radical nature of the miracle to come.
Jesus has just miraculously fed a huge crowd of over five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five barley loaves and two small fish. The disciples, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, are trying to figure out how to feed them all, and Philip expresses the immense cost involved. Andrew then points out the meager provisions a young boy has, highlighting their inadequacy for such a multitude.
Jesus has just miraculously fed a huge crowd of over five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five barley loaves and two small fish. The disciples, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, are trying to figure out how to feed them all, and Philip expresses the immense cost involved. Andrew then points out the meager provisions a young boy has, highlighting their inadequacy for such a multitude.
"“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”" — Andrew points out the boy's meager provisions, highlighting the sheer inadequacy of five barley loaves and two small fish for such a vast crowd. This detail emphasizes how unlikely any solution would…
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Last reviewed October 2026