Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:36

What does Matthew 15:36 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:36 means

Jesus takes the modest offering of seven loaves and the few small fish, then gives thanks to God, acknowledging the divine source of all provision. He then breaks the bread and gives it to His disciples, who in turn distribute it to the multitudes. This sequence of actions—taking, giving thanks, breaking, and distributing—mirrors His previous feeding miracle and echoes essential elements of the Passover meal and future communion, symbolizing divine blessing and shared sustenance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took the seven cakes of bread and the fishes; and having given praise, he gave the broken bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the people.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having taken the seven loaves and the fishes, having given thanks, he did break, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave to the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having taken the seven loaves and the fishes, having given thanks, he broke [them] and gave [them] to his disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.

Context

This verse describes the pivotal actions leading to the miracle, immediately following the multitude's orderly seating in verse 35. Jesus's actions—taking, giving thanks, breaking, and giving to the disciples for distribution—are central to the miracle of multiplication, highlighting His role as the divine provider. This sets the stage for the miraculous filling of the crowd and the collection of leftovers in the subsequent verses.

v.35And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;

v.36This passage

v.37And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, seven baskets full.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 26:26

    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

  • Acts 27:35

    And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.

  • John 6:23

    (howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks):

  • Luke 24:30

    And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them.

  • 1 Samuel 9:13

    As soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him.

  • 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.

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