Bible Strands
John 6:12
And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His disciples immediately after the crowd has eaten and been satisfied. He issues the command while the physical remnants of the meal remain.
The words — The Greek συναγάγετε (sunagagete) literally commands “do gather together,” while ἐνεπλήσθησαν (eneplēsthēsan) states the crowd “was filled.” Jesus notes the physical satiety before directing the collection of the remnants.
The thread — The theme of satisfaction runs through Mark 6:42, where the crowd ate and were satisfied, and Luke 1:53, which states God fills the hungry with good things. These passages parallel the physical fulfillment described in the narrative.
Why it lands — The text commands the collection of remaining food so that nothing will be wasted. A reader must observe the practical instruction to preserve what remains after provision has been given.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
Cross-references
- Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
- Mark 6:42 They all ate and were satisfied,
- Nehemiah 9:25 They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.
- Luke 9:17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- Matthew 14:20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- Matthew 15:37 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
- Mark 8:8 The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- Luke 16:1 Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.