Devine Scripture

John 6:12

What does John 6:12 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:12 means

When all have eaten their fill, Jesus tells the disciples to gather the leftover pieces, so that nothing be lost. He cares about stewardship as well as sufficiency. The instruction reveals order, reverence for God’s provision, and a sign-laden phrase: “that nothing be lost.” It anticipates His later promise not to lose any the Father has given Him. The Lord who provides abundantly also preserves carefully. Gathering the fragments testifies that the miracle exceeded immediate need and that divine generosity does not excuse waste. It also ensures that the disciples tangibly handle the outcome, deepening their recognition of His power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they had had enough, Jesus said to his disciples, Take up the broken bits which are over, so that nothing may be wasted.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when they were filled, he saith to his disciples, `Gather together the broken pieces that are over, that nothing may be lost;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when they had been filled, he says to his disciples, Gather together the fragments which are over and above, that nothing may be lost.

Context

This command follows the satisfying of the crowd and precedes the count of twelve baskets. It ties the provision to responsibility and points forward theologically to Jesus’s preserving will, which He will articulate soon in terms of resurrection at the last day. The collection of remnants becomes part of the testimony to what happened, preparing for the crowd’s reaction and Jesus’s withdrawal from their misguided enthusiasm.

v.11Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would.

v.12This passage

v.13So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over unto them that had eaten.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 15:13

    And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.

  • Luke 1:53

    The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

  • Nehemiah 8:10

    Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.

  • Mark 8:8

    And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets.

  • Proverbs 18:9

    He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

  • Luke 9:17

    And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

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