Matthew 15:33
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγουσιν
say
G3004
λέγουσιν
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Πόθεν
Whence
G4159
Πόθεν
Whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
7 of 16
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
τοσοῦτον
have so much
G5118
τοσοῦτον
have so much
Strong's:
G5118
Word #:
12 of 16
apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
ὥστε
as
G5620
ὥστε
as
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
13 of 16
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
χορτάσαι
to fill
G5526
χορτάσαι
to fill
Strong's:
G5526
Word #:
14 of 16
to fodder, i.e., (generally) to gorge (supply food in abundance)
Cross References
Mark 6:37He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?Matthew 14:15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.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.
Historical Context
The disciples' question echoes Israel's doubt in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:4-6, 21-22). Moses asked, 'Shall the flocks and herds be slain for them?' (Numbers 11:22)—similar incredulity facing multitude-feeding. Yet Jesus is greater than Moses—He provides not by gathering existing resources but by multiplying them. The wilderness setting deliberately recalls Israel's manna, presenting Jesus as the new Moses providing true bread.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do you quickly forget God's past provision when facing new challenges?
- How does the disciples' slowness to believe encourage you when your own faith wavers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? (καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταί, Πόθεν ἡμῖν ἐν ἐρημίᾳ ἄρτοι τοσοῦτοι ὥστε χορτάσαι ὄχλον τοσοῦτον;)—The question πόθεν ('from where') expresses perceived impossibility. The phrase ἐν ἐρημίᾳ ('in wilderness, in a deserted place') emphasizes the lack of resources. Remarkably, the disciples question this despite having witnessed the feeding of 5,000 recently (14:13-21). Their forgetfulness illustrates human tendency to doubt God's provision despite past demonstrations.
The verb χορτάζω (chortazō, 'to feed, to fill, to satisfy') means complete satisfaction—they weren't asking about minimal sustenance but full satisfaction for ὄχλον τοσοῦτον ('so great a crowd'). Their question reveals both practical concern and spiritual dullness. Mark 8:17-18 shows Jesus later rebuked them for not understanding. We often resemble the disciples—experiencing God's provision yet doubting His ability to repeat it.