Mark 6:43
What does Mark 6:43 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 6:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 6:43 means
Mark 6:43 states that they took up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces, and also of the fishes. The large number of baskets filled with leftovers shows not only sufficiency but superabundance: even after thousands ate, plenty remained. The twelve baskets may carry symbolic weight, possibly pointing to the Twelve as recipients or stewards of the church’s witnessing mission. The verse underscores God’s generosity—when Jesus provides, waste is turned into abundance. It also models prudent stewardship: gathering leftovers honors the provision and anticipates ongoing use.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken bits and of the fishes.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they took up of broken pieces twelve hand-baskets full, and of the fishes,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they took up the leavings, twelve full baskets of fragments, and of the fishes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they took up of fragments the fillings of twelve hand-baskets, and of the fishes.
Context
This verse follows the crowd being filled (verse 42) and records the material surplus gathered afterward. The collection of twelve baskets both quantifies the miracle’s abundance and possibly hints at symbolic meaning tied to the Twelve. The surplus contrasts with the disciples’ earlier perception of scarcity (verse 38), reinforcing the lesson about trust in Jesus’ provision. It connects directly to the final count of those fed in the next verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
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