Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:38

What does Matthew 15:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:38 means

This verse specifies the number of people who ate during this miraculous feeding: "four thousand men, besides women and children." This emphasizes the immense scale of the miracle, underscoring Jesus's ability to provide for vast multitudes with minimal resources. The inclusion of women and children indicates that the total number of recipients was even greater than the stated four thousand, further highlighting the magnitude of His divine provision.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they that did eat were four thousand men, besides women and children.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they that did eat were four thousand men, besides women and children.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there were four thousand men who took food, together with women and children.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those eating were four thousand men, apart from women and children.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that did eat, were four thousand men, beside children and women.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but they that ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Context

Following the miraculous feeding and the collection of leftovers in verse 37, this verse provides the exact count of those who ate. This specific number—four thousand men, plus women and children—reinforces the magnitude of the miracle and distinguishes it from the feeding of the five thousand. This numerical detail serves as a powerful testament to Jesus's divine power and compassion.

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

v.38This passage

v.39And he sent away the multitudes, and entered into the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 15:38.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary