Bible Strands
Matthew 15:36
Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus handles provisions for a crowd that has just sat down on the ground (Matthew 15:35). He breaks the food and distributes it through the disciples to the people.
The words — ἔλαβεν (elaben) translates as "having taken," and ἑπτὰ (hepta) means "seven," anchoring the narrative to a specific quantity before the acts of giving thanks and breaking.
The thread — The sequence of taking, giving thanks, and distributing appears in John 6:11, while Luke 22:19 and Romans 14:6 later connect this physical pattern to thanksgiving and communal eating.
Why it lands — It demands recognition that Jesus meets immediate physical need through delegated distribution and thanksgiving, establishing a procedural model that precedes any subsequent teaching.
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 he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
- Romans 14:6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
- John 6:11 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
- Acts 27:35 After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
- 1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”
- Matthew 14:19 And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
- Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”
- Luke 22:17 After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.