They all ate and were satisfiedThis phrase highlights the miraculous provision of Jesus, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. The feeding of the five thousand is one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its significance. In a cultural context where food scarcity was common, the satisfaction of the crowd signifies not just physical fulfillment but also spiritual nourishment. This event foreshadows the Last Supper and the Eucharist, where Jesus offers Himself as the bread of life, satisfying the deepest spiritual hunger of humanity. The miracle also reflects Old Testament themes, such as God's provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises.
and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over
The collection of twelve basketfuls of leftovers is rich in symbolism. The number twelve often represents the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting the abundance of God's provision for His people. It also signifies the role of the disciples in gathering and distributing the blessings of Christ, pointing to their future mission in spreading the Gospel. The act of gathering the leftovers indicates good stewardship and the importance of valuing God's gifts. This abundance contrasts with the initial scarcity, illustrating the principle that in God's kingdom, there is always more than enough. The broken pieces symbolize the broken body of Christ, which, though broken, provides sustenance and life to all who partake.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this event, performing the miracle of feeding the five thousand.
2.
The DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who distributed the food and collected the leftovers.
3.
The CrowdA large group of people, numbering about five thousand men, besides women and children, who were fed by Jesus.
4.
The Miracle of Feeding the Five ThousandA significant event where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a multitude.
5.
Twelve BasketfulsThe amount of leftover food collected, symbolizing abundance and completeness.
Teaching Points
God's ProvisionGod provides abundantly for our needs, often beyond what we can imagine.
Faith in ActionThe disciples acted in faith by distributing the food, trusting in Jesus' provision.
Stewardship of ResourcesCollecting the leftovers teaches us to be good stewards of God's blessings.
Spiritual SatisfactionTrue satisfaction comes from Jesus, the Bread of Life, who meets our deepest needs.
Symbolism of CompletenessThe twelve baskets symbolize God's complete provision for His people, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 14:20?
2.How does Matthew 14:20 demonstrate God's provision in our daily lives?
3.What can we learn about stewardship from the leftovers in Matthew 14:20?
4.How does Matthew 14:20 connect to God's abundance in Philippians 4:19?
5.How can we apply the lesson of gratitude from Matthew 14:20 today?
6.What does Matthew 14:20 teach about trusting God in seemingly impossible situations?
7.How does Matthew 14:20 demonstrate Jesus' divine power and authority?
8.What is the significance of the leftover baskets in Matthew 14:20?
9.How does Matthew 14:20 relate to the theme of abundance in the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 14?
11.How does the law of conservation of mass contradict the multiplication of loaves and fish?
12.What events marked Jesus' third year of ministry?
13.How does the detailed description of manna’s properties (Exodus 16:14–21) align or conflict with accounts of other supernatural provisions in the Bible?
14.In Matthew 14:15–21, how can five loaves and two fish realistically feed thousands of people?What Does Matthew 14:20 Mean
They all ate• Jesus had just blessed five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:19), then “they all ate”—every man, woman, and child present, conservatively well over five thousand people.
• The scope recalls God’s past faithfulness in feeding an entire nation with manna (Exodus 16:4, 35) and Elisha’s feeding of a hundred men with leftovers remaining (2 Kings 4:42-44).
• The statement is straightforward, literal history; the same detail appears in all four Gospels (Mark 6:42;Luke 9:17;John 6:11). Christ’s power met the need of every individual there.
and were satisfied• “Satisfied” means no one merely sampled a bite; every stomach was filled. AsPsalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and here the Shepherd meets literal hunger.
•John 6:35 later links this miracle to a deeper truth: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger.” Physical fullness points to spiritual sufficiency in Christ.
• Satisfaction also underscores that God’s provision is never meager; He supplies “according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19).
and the disciples picked up• Jesus involved His followers, teaching them stewardship and dependence. They distributed the meal (Matthew 14:19) and now gather the surplus.
• Participation trained them for future ministry: “We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
•Luke 9:17 notes the same action, highlighting unity among Gospel accounts.
twelve basketfuls• Twelve is first a literal count—exactly twelve baskets were filled.
• It also mirrors the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, signaling that God has ample provision for His covenant people and for the mission of the Church (cf.Revelation 21:12-14).
• Jesus’ abundance comes in measured order, not random excess, echoingExodus 24:4 where twelve pillars represented all Israel.
of broken pieces• The fragments weren’t trash; they were valuable evidence of God’s power.John 6:12 records Jesus’ command, “Gather the pieces that are left over so that nothing will be wasted.”
•Proverbs 18:9 warns against wastefulness; careful collection honors the Giver and readies resources for future needs.
• The “broken pieces” remind us that what seems insignificant in human hands becomes more than enough in Christ’s.
that were left over.• The leftovers prove the miracle wasn’t staged to meet only the bare minimum. God gives “pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).
•Malachi 3:10 promises overflowing blessing to those who trust God, andEphesians 3:20 celebrates Him who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
• The surplus invites ongoing faith; if Jesus could leave baskets brimming in a deserted place, He can meet every future need as well.
summaryMatthew 14:20 records a literal, historical sign of Jesus’ creative power and compassionate provision. Every person ate, every need was met, and abundant leftovers testified to divine generosity. The disciples’ role underscores that God invites His people to participate in His work, steward His gifts, and trust His limitless supply—both for daily bread and for the Bread of Life who fully satisfies.
(20)
Twelve baskets full.--The basket here is the
cophinus, a small basket carried in the hand, and often used by travellers to hold their food. So Juvenal (
Sat. iii. 14) describes the Jews of Italy as travelling with "their
cophinus and a wisp of hay," by way of pillow, as their only luggage. St. John records that the gathering was made by our Lord's express commands, "that nothing be lost." The marvellous display of creative power was not to supersede forethought, thrift, economy in the use of the gifts it had bestowed. It is probable, from the language of the disciples in
Mark 6:37, and from
John 13:29, that they were in the habit of distributing food to the poor in the villages and towns in which they preached, and the fragments were, we may believe, reserved for that use.
Verse 20. -
And they did alleat, and were filled (
ἐχορτάσθησαν,
Matthew 5:6, note).
And they. Undefined, but seen from
Matthew 16:9;
John 6:12, to have been the disciples.
Took up of the fragments that remained;that which remained over of the broken pieces (Revised Version);
i.e. of the pieces broken by our Lord for distribution (ver. 19).
Twelve baskets full. The disciples personally lost nothing by the miracle (ver. 15, note), the provision basket that each always carried was now replenished.
Baskets; "cofyns" (Wickliffe);
κοφίνους (cf.
Luke 9:17, note; and the Talmudic saying, "He that has bread in his basket is not like him that has not bread in his basket," Talm. Bab., 'Yoma,' 74
b).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
They all ateἔφαγον(ephagon)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5315:A primary verb; to eat.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.were satisfied,ἐχορτάσθησαν(echortasthēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5526:To feed, satisfy, fatten. From chortos; to fodder, i.e. to gorge.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[the disciples] picked upἦραν(ēran)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 142:To raise, lift up, take away, remove.twelveδώδεκα(dōdeka)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1427:Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.basketfulsκοφίνους(kophinous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2894:A large basket. Of uncertain derivation; a basket.of broken piecesκλασμάτων(klasmatōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2801:A fragment, broken piece. From klao; a piece.thatτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.were left over.περισσεῦον(perisseuon)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4052:From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 14:20 They all ate and were filled (Matt. Mat Mt) 
