John 6:8
What does John 6:8 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:8 means
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, speaks up. He is often portrayed as bringing people to Jesus, and here he introduces a small possibility without presumption. His words are tentative but hopeful—he notices what is available, even if it seems insignificant. In the economy of Jesus’s kingdom, what seems too small can become more than enough when placed in His hands. Andrew’s initiative shows that faith can begin with a hesitant step: notice, bring, and trust Jesus with the outcome. His willingness to offer a meager resource contrasts with Philip’s financial calculation, nudging the scene toward the provision Jesus already intends to make.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
KJV
King James Version · 1611One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862one of his disciples--Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter--saith to him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, says to him,
Context
Andrew’s comment comes right after Philip’s estimate of insufficiency and right before the presentation of the loaves and fishes. This shift from abstract cost to concrete offering steers the narrative toward action. The following verse will detail the small meal, emphasizing its inadequacy in human terms. From there, Jesus’s command to seat the crowd will signal that He is taking charge to supply what no disciple could secure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:40
One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
- Matthew 4:18
And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers.
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