Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐχαριστήσας
and gave thanks
G2168
εὐχαριστήσας
and gave thanks
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
9 of 20
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκεν
gave
G1325
ἔδωκεν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
12 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ·
G846
αὐτοῦ·
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 20
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 #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 14:6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.Luke 22:19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.Acts 27:35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.1 Corinthians 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.John 6:11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.1 Samuel 9:13As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
Historical Context
Jewish meal blessings (berakot) thanked God as Creator and Provider: 'Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.' Jesus followed this tradition, but as God incarnate, He gave thanks to the Father while simultaneously acting as Provider. The breaking of bread was customary before distribution; here it became the moment of miraculous multiplication, perhaps grain by grain as pieces passed through Jesus's hands.
Questions for Reflection
- How does thanking God before seeing provision demonstrate faith versus thanking Him only afterward?
- In what ways are you merely a conduit of Christ's provision rather than the source of ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks (καὶ λαβὼν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς ἰχθύας εὐχαριστήσας)—The verb εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō, 'to give thanks') gives us 'Eucharist.' Jesus blessed the Father before distribution, modeling gratitude for provision. Thanksgiving preceded multiplication—recognizing God's goodness unlocks His generosity. The aorist participle εὐχαριστήσας shows Jesus gave thanks once, yet the provision satisfied thousands—one prayer, endless provision.
And brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude (ἔκλασεν καὶ ἐδίδου τοῖς μαθηταῖς, οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ τοῖς ὄχλοις)—The breaking (κλάω, klaō) multiplied the bread. The imperfect ἐδίδου ('He kept giving') shows continuous distribution. Jesus gave to disciples who gave to crowds—establishing the pattern: Christ provides, disciples distribute. Ministers are channels, not sources. We dispense what we receive, adding nothing, subtracting nothing.