Matthew 14:17
They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Matthew 14:17
They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The disciples' response, "We have only five loaves here and two fish," isn't just stating a fact; it’s a practical, almost dismissive, assessment of the impossible situation. Their focus on the scarcity highlights their limited perspective, completely missing Jesus's ability to work beyond human limitations.
Jesus, moved by compassion for the vast crowd that had followed him to a deserted place, had just begun teaching them. As evening approached, his disciples, concerned about the hungry multitude and the lack of provisions, urged Jesus to send them away to find food. Jesus, however, challenged them instead to provide the food themselves, leading to their stunned response about the meager amount they possessed.
The disciples faced a massive crowd and an impossible situation. Their response? A blunt inventory of what they did have.
When Jesus tells his disciples to feed the crowd, their immediate response is a factual, almost despairing, assessment: "We have only five loaves here and two fish." This isn't a lack of faith, but a realistic understanding of the sheer impossibility of the task with their limited resources. They state the problem as they see it, highlighting the vast gulf between the need and their supply. This moment reveals their human limitations and sets the stage for God's extraordinary power to be displayed.
Before the loaves and fish are even mentioned, Jesus' heart goes out to the people. What does this reveal about God's concern for us?
The narrative in Matthew (and Mark) emphasizes Jesus' deep compassion for the crowds. He sees them not just as a problem to be solved, but as vulnerable people, like sheep without a shepherd. This compassion is the driving force behind his miraculous provision. It's not simply a display of power, but an overflow of his loving care for humanity's physical and spiritual needs. He doesn't ignore their hunger; he actively meets it.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist, a key forerunner of Jesus, is imprisoned by Herod Antipas. This event prompts Jesus to withdraw from the area.
c. AD 28
Jesus Withdraws to a Solitary Place
Jesus departs by boat to a deserted area, seeking a time of rest for himself and his disciples. This is an attempt to escape public attention after hearing of John's imprisonment.
c. AD 28
Crowds Follow Jesus on Foot
Despite Jesus' attempt to withdraw, large crowds learn of his location and follow him by land, arriving before him. They are drawn by his ministry and reputation.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches and Heals the Multitude
Jesus sees the crowds, is moved with compassion, and begins teaching them about the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. This extends his time in the deserted place.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples Identify Food Scarcity
This passage identifies the source of the five loaves and two fishes, highlighting that it was a small amount brought by a boy, setting the stage for Jesus' miraculous multiplication.
2 Kings 4:42This Old Testament account parallels the feeding of a large crowd with a very small amount of food, showing a pattern of God providing abundantly through seemingly insufficient means.
Exodus 16:18The gathering of manna in the wilderness teaches that God's provision, even when seemingly scarce, is always sufficient when collected according to His word, mirroring the disciples' initial limited resources.
Luke 9:13This parallel account of the feeding of the five thousand includes the disciples' question about buying food, emphasizing their practical but limited thinking in contrast to Jesus' divine power.
calvinMatthew 14:13-21: "When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities."
- When Jesus heard this, he departed thence to a ship to a desert place apart; and when the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14. And Jesus, when leaving (the ship,) saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and healed of such of them as were diseased. 15. A…
clarkeMatthew 14:17: "And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes."
We have here but five loaves and two fishes - When we are deeply conscious of our own necessities, we shall be led to depend on Jesus with a firmer faith. God often permits his servants to be brought low, that they may have repeated opportunities of proving the kindness and mercy of their gracious Lord and Master.
The disciples' response, "We have only five loaves here and two fish," isn't just stating a fact; it’s a practical, almost dismissive, assessment of the impossible situation. Their focus on the scarcity highlights their limited perspective, completely missing Jesus's ability to work beyond human limitations.
Jesus, moved by compassion for the vast crowd that had followed him to a deserted place, had just begun teaching them. As evening approached, his disciples, concerned about the hungry multitude and the lack of provisions, urged Jesus to send them away to find food. Jesus, however, challenged them instead to provide the food themselves, leading to their stunned response about the meager amount they possessed.
Jesus, moved by compassion for the vast crowd that had followed him to a deserted place, had just begun teaching them. As evening approached, his disciples, concerned about the hungry multitude and the lack of provisions, urged Jesus to send them away to find food. Jesus, however, challenged them instead to provide the food themselves, leading to their stunned response about the meager amount they possessed.
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As evening approaches, the disciples notice the lack of food and the impossibility of feeding such a large crowd in a deserted area. They suggest sending the people away to buy food.
"They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”" — The disciples' response, "We have only five loaves here and two fish," isn't just stating a fact; it’s a practical, almost dismissive, assessment of the impossible situation. Their focus on the scarc…