Luke 9:17 - They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

Generated Verse: Luke 9:17

What does "Luke 9:17" mean?


This verse, Luke 9:17, describes the feeding of the five thousand, a miracle performed by Jesus. Let's break down the meaning:

"They ate, and were all filled.": This is the core of the miracle. Jesus provided enough food (a few loaves of bread and fish) to completely satisfy a massive crowd of people. The emphasis is on all being filled, suggesting that everyone had enough to eat until they were no longer hungry. This highlights Jesus's power and his compassion for the physical needs of those who followed him.

"They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.": This part emphasizes the abundance and extravagance of the miracle. Not only did everyone eat their fill, but there were significant leftovers. The fact that there were twelve baskets is often interpreted symbolically. Some possible interpretations include:

Symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel: Suggesting that Jesus is providing for all of God's people.
Symbolic of the twelve apostles: Implying that the apostles themselves were involved in collecting the leftovers and were witnesses to the miracle. It could also symbolize that they would have more than enough to share their faith with others.
Proof of the miracle: The large amount of leftovers proves that a small amount of food was miraculously multiplied to feed a huge crowd. It leaves no room for doubt that something extraordinary occurred.

Overall Meaning:

The verse communicates several key ideas:

Jesus's Power: He has the power to perform extraordinary miracles, even multiplying food to feed thousands.
Jesus's Compassion: He cares about the physical needs of people and provides for them generously.
Abundance and Provision: God's provision is not just adequate, but overflowing. There is more than enough to meet our needs.
Witness and Testimony: The leftover fragments serve as a testament to the reality of the miracle, offering proof to the apostles and those who would hear about it later.

In short, Luke 9:17 emphasizes the miraculous provision of Jesus, showcasing his power, compassion, and the abundant nature of God's blessings. It's a powerful story of faith and provision.

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