Devine Scripture

Luke 9:17

What does Luke 9:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:17 means

Everyone ate and was satisfied, and the disciples collected twelve baskets of broken pieces left over. The fullness of the crowd and the abundant leftovers signify not just provision but superabundance—God’s generosity exceeds need. Twelve baskets suggest provision for the tribes of Israel or for the twelve apostles’ ongoing ministry, symbolizing continuity. The miracle confirms Jesus’ identity as provider and shows the kingdom’s feast-like nature. It teaches that when God blesses the small offerings offered in faith, the result is abundance that serves both present needs and future ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they all took the food and had enough; and they took up of the broken bits which were over, twelve baskets full.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they did eat, and were all filled, and there was taken up what was over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they did all eat and were filled. And there were taken up of fragments that remained to them, twelve baskets.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they all ate and were filled; and there was taken up of what had remained over and above to them in fragments twelve hand-baskets.

Context

This verse concludes the feeding narrative begun in v.13 and executed in vv.14–16. The miraculous sufficiency and surplus underscore God’s abundant care and highlight Jesus’ authority to provide. The detail of twelve baskets connects to the twelve apostles introduced earlier (v.1), reinforcing the theme of delegated ministry and the kingdom’s inclusive provision. The scene moves next to a private moment of prayer and questioning (vv.18–20) where identity and mission are addressed.

v.16And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

v.17This passage

v.18And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

Cross references

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

  • 2 Kings 4:44

    So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of Jehovah.

  • Psalms 107:9

    For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good.

  • Proverbs 13:25

    The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want.

  • Mark 8:19

    When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

  • John 6:11

    Jesus 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.

  • Mark 6:42

    And they all ate, and were filled.

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