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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐχορτάσθησαν
were filled
G5526
ἐχορτάσθησαν
were filled
Strong's:
G5526
Word #:
5 of 14
to fodder, i.e., (generally) to gorge (supply food in abundance)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἦραν
they took up
G142
ἦραν
they took up
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
7 of 14
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περισσεῦον
meat that was left
G4052
περισσεῦον
meat that was left
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
9 of 14
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The distinction between basket types is significant: κόφινος (kophinos, 14:20) was a small wicker basket Jews used for carrying food (keeping ritual purity), while σπυρίς (spyris) was a large rope-basket used for cargo (Acts 9:25 uses this for lowering Paul). Twelve kophinos baskets after feeding 5,000 Jews; seven spyris baskets after feeding 4,000 (mostly Gentiles)—both numbers symbolically significant (twelve tribes; seven= completeness).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's provision always exceeding need challenge your anxious hoarding mentality?
- What does God returning what you give Him—multiplied—teach about generous stewardship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they did all eat, and were filled (καὶ ἔφαγον πάντες καὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν)—The verb χορτάζω (chortazō) means 'to feed, to fill, to satisfy fully'—not mere subsistence but complete satisfaction. The πάντες ('all') emphasizes universality—no one left hungry. This fulfills Psalm 107:9: 'He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.' Where Jesus provides, there's full satisfaction, not rationed scarcity.
And they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full (καὶ ἦραν τὸ περισσεῦον τῶν κλασμάτων ἑπτὰ σπυρίδας πληρεῖς)—The verb περισσεύω (perisseuō, 'to exceed, to abound') appears as a participle: 'the exceeding fragments.' God's provision exceeds need. Seven σπυρίδας (spyris, 'large baskets,' used for carrying cargo—different from κόφινος in 14:20) were filled. The abundance of leftovers wasn't wastefulness but demonstration that God's resources are inexhaustible. Starting with seven loaves, they ended with seven baskets—but having fed four thousand. God returns what we give Him multiplied.