John 6:9
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Original Language Analysis
ἐστιν
There is
G2076
ἐστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
1 of 18
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 18
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀψάρια·
small fishes
G3795
ὀψάρια·
small fishes
Strong's:
G3795
Word #:
12 of 18
a relish to other food (as if cooked sauce), i.e., (specially), fish (presumably salted and dried as a condiment)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
15 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐστιν
There is
G2076
ἐστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
16 of 18
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Cross References
Luke 9:13But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.Mark 6:38He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.Matthew 14:17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.Psalms 78:19Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?Psalms 147:14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.Psalms 81:16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.Mark 8:19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.Matthew 16:9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Deuteronomy 8:8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
Historical Context
The boy's willingness to offer his lunch is often overlooked. He could have hidden it or eaten it himself. Instead, this unnamed child contributed what became the material for a miracle. Small offerings, willingly given, become vehicles of divine abundance.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the boy's willingness to give his lunch teach about offering what we have?
- How does God use insufficient resources to demonstrate His sufficiency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?' Andrew identifies a resource—a boy's lunch. Barley bread was poor people's food; the fish were small, probably pickled. The resource is meager, the need massive. Andrew's question expresses doubt yet still reports availability. This meal represents all we can offer Christ—insufficient by human measure, yet He transforms it.