What does Matthew 14:20 mean?

Explanation

The verse, Matthew 14:20, from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, describes the conclusion of the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand.

After Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fishes, blessed and broke them, they were distributed among the crowd.

The miracle was not only that Jesus was able to feed a vast number of people from such a meager supply, but also that the food was more than sufficient.

Everyone ate and was satisfied, indicating that their physical needs were fully met.

Though the crowd was large, the collected leftovers filled twelve baskets, signaling an abundance surpassing the initial scarcity.

Historical Context

This event is set in a remote place near the Sea of Galilee during the time of Jesus's ministry, around the first century CE in Roman-occupied Judea.

The Gospel accounts suggest that Jesus wished to withdraw to a solitary place after hearing about the execution of John the Baptist; however, the crowds followed Him.

It was a predominantly Jewish context, with cultural expectations of hospitality and sharing, and the miracle occurred in an era where food scarcity was a real and daily concern.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, different traditions draw various insights:

• For many Christians, the feeding of the five thousand is a sign of Jesus's divine nature and His compassion to provide not only spiritual but also physical sustenance.
• The reference to twelve baskets can symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel; hence Jesuss ministry reaches out to the entire chosen people.
• Some see this as a foreshadowing of the Last Supper and the Eucharist, the bread representing the body of Christ, which is given for the life of the world.
• Others view this event as an example that Christ can multiply our offerings, however meager, to fulfill His purposes abundantly.

Practical Applications

The feeding of the five thousand has implications for daily life:

• It teaches the value of sharing, even when resources seem insufficient.
• It suggests that God can provide for our needs when faced with scarcity.
• The passage serves as an inspiration to trust in divine providence and to work collectively to address issues of hunger and poverty.
• It also inspires believers to bring what they have to Jesus, no matter how small, and trust Him to perform the miraculous.

Cross-References

Related verses in the KJV Bible include:

• Matthew 15:37 - "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full."
• John 6:12-13 - "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Therefore they gathered [them] together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten."

• Mark 6:42-43 - "And they did all eat, and were filled.

And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes."

• Luke 9:17 - "And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text include:

• "ἔφαγον" (ephagon): Translated "eat," suggesting the past action of eating.
• "χορτασθέντες" (chortasthentes): Translated "were filled" or "were satisfied," indicating that the crowd had eaten to satisfaction.
• "κλασμάτων" (klasmaton): Translated "fragments" or "pieces," referring to the broken pieces of bread left over.
• "κοφίνους" (kophinous): Translated "baskets," the type of basket used is significant as it was a common lunch basket, indicating ordinary provisions became extraordinarily abundant.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, miraculous feasts are also present:

• In the Greek tradition, the myth of the "cornucopia" or "horn of plenty" is a symbol which overflows with food and drinks, similar to how abundance is emphasized in this miracle.
• Hindu tradition has stories of deities providing food, and the famous "Akshaya Patra" is the inexhaustible vessel given to Yudhishthira which held a never-ending supply of food.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, this event defies natural laws as understood by modern science, primarily the conservation of mass which dictates that physical material cannot be created from nothing in a closed system.

The event is considered a supernatural occurrence, beyond the scope of scientific explanation.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various perspectives:

• William Barclay describes the event as an example of divine power where Jesus is the one who brings abundance from scarcity.
• John MacArthur points out that the twelve baskets left over serves as a powerful symbol that Christ's power and provision are more than sufficient.
• Commentaries like Matthew Henry's elaborate on how this miracle was a sign of Jesus's kingly authority and that it pointed to the spiritual nourishment He provides.