Five Loaves and Two Fishes - Matthew 14:17

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give you them to eat”, and in chapter fourteen and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus' disciples tell Him, “we have here but five loaves, and two fishes” where we read:

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

The verse reads, “And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and they say” which means “and the disciples uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which means “to Jesus”, “we have here” or “we are holding and possessing in this place” “but five loaves” which means “only five small oblong or round cakes as thick as one's thumb composed of flour mixed with water and baked”. Matthew shared how Jesus' “disciples” told Him they only had “five” small loaves of bread.

The verse continues, “... and two fishes.” Matthew added the words, “and two fishes” which means “and two small fish”. Matthew shared how the disciples also had two small fish among the people.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see the small provision that was found as the disciples attempted to find food for all the people who surrounded them. (See John 6:8-9) This must have seemed like such a small amount to the disciples as they carried it to Jesus, however, this would prove to be a more than ample supply. God desires people to know that He is Creator God, and He has made provision for everyone to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who submit their lives to Him, regardless of how little they feel they have to offer, shall not only receive “everlasting life”, but also discover how little can be much in the hands of the Lord Jesus.

Next time we see Matthew shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “bring them here to me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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