Matthew 15:34
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
Matthew 15:34 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes." portrays an important miracle performed by Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. In this verse, Jesus is seen questioning his disciples about the amount of bread they have available to feed a multitude of people. Through this interaction, Jesus demonstrates his power and ability to provide for the needs of his followers in miraculous ways. The mention of seven loaves and a few fishes highlights the small amount of food initially present, which serves as a contrast to the abundance that Jesus is about to bring forth through his divine intervention. This verse serves as a reminder of the faithfulness and provision of Jesus, teaching believers to trust in him to meet all their needs, no matter how limited their resources may seem.
Theological Overview
When Jesus asks his disciples about the number of loaves they have, the response of seven loaves and a few small fishes seems minimal in comparison to the hungry crowd of thousands. This exchange highlights a significant aspect of faith in the teachings of Jesus. The specific number of seven loaves may symbolize completeness or divine perfection in the context of the miracle that is about to take place. Additionally, the mention of "a few small fishes" underscores the idea that God can work with even the smallest offerings to perform great miracles. This verse serves as a reminder of the power of faith, trust, and surrendering to God's will, irrespective of how insignificant our resources may seem. Through this theological interpretation, we can understand that Jesus' question prompts us to rely on Him completely, as He is the provider of all our needs, no matter how meager our possessions may appear.
Matthew 15:34 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.
World English Bible
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
Douay-Rheims
And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? But they said: Seven, and a few little fishes.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Iesus said vnto them, How many loaues haue ye? And they said, Seuen, and a few litle fishes.