The Meaning of Matthew 15:34 Explained

Matthew 15:34

KJV: And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

YLT: And Jesus saith to them, 'How many loaves have ye?' and they said, 'Seven, and a few little fishes.'

Darby: And Jesus says to them, How many loaves have ye? But they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.

ASV: And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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?

Context Summary

Matthew 15:29-39 - Ministering To The Multitudes
Our Lord's mission of grace and truth was at its height. His help was sought with the utmost eagerness. Large numbers of sick were cast at His feet in hot haste. The crumb was given to the woman of Canaan, but whole loaves were distributed to the crowds of Jews, because it was befitting that they should have a full chance to appreciate and accept Christ. For a brief moment they glorified the God of Israel, but the spasm of gratitude was transient. "His own" rejected Jesus. They would have His miracles, but would not own His claims. Take care that you do not become content with getting His help; love Him for Himself.
Do not suppose that these miracles were confined to His earthly life. He is still the great storehouse of divine and healing energy. He is still moved with compassion, and longs to help each weary and sin-sick soul. His thought still is lest they faint by the way. The wilderness can place no bar on "the saving strength of His right hand." Disciples especially are meant to be intermediaries and mediators. They take and give. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 15

1  Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees
7  for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;
10  teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man
21  He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,
29  and other great multitudes;
32  and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men

Greek Commentary for Matthew 15:34

A few small fishes [ολιγα ιχτυδια]
(ολιγα ιχτυδια — oliga ichthudia diminutive again). [source]
Little fishes [ἰχθύδια]
Diminutive. The disciples make their provision seem as small as possible. In Matthew 15:36 the diminutive is not used. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 15:34

Mark 8:7 A few small fishes [ιχτυδια ολιγα]
Mark mentions them last as if they were served after the food, but not so Matthew 15:34. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 15:34 mean?

And says to them - Jesus How many loaves have you - And they said Seven a few small fish
Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς Πόσους ἄρτους ἔχετε Οἱ δὲ εἶπαν Ἑπτά ὀλίγα ἰχθύδια

λέγει  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Πόσους  How  many 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πόσος  
Sense: how great.
ἄρτους  loaves 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄρτος  
Sense: food composed of flour mixed with water and baked.
ἔχετε  have  you 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
Οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἶπαν  they  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Ἑπτά  Seven 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἑπτά  
Sense: seven.
ὀλίγα  a  few 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.
ἰχθύδια  small  fish 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἰχθύδιον  
Sense: a little fish.

What are the major concepts related to Matthew 15:34?

Loading Information...