Bible Strands
Matthew 14:20
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative concludes the feeding event after Jesus directs the disciples to distribute the multiplied loaves and fish to the seated crowd. The disciples gather the remaining fragments while the people finish eating.
The words — The Greek term ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan) literally means "were filled to the point of satisfaction," describing the complete physical fulfillment of the crowd.
The thread — This surplus of provisions echoes the evening meat and morning bread promised in Exodus 16:8 and 16:12, and runs parallel to Jesus’ later rebuke of his disciples for debating over physical bread in Matthew 16:8.
Why it lands — The text states that twelve baskets of broken pieces remained after everyone ate and was satisfied. Readers must first acknowledge this material surplus before considering any theological application.
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
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Cross-references
- Exodus 16:12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”
- Matthew 16:8 Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread?
- Exodus 16:8 And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”
- 1 Kings 17:12 But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”
- Mark 6:42 They all ate and were satisfied,
- Leviticus 26:26 When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.
- 2 Kings 4:1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”
- 2 Kings 4:43 But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’”
- Mark 8:8 The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.