Matthew 14:21 - Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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What does "Matthew 14:21" mean?
Matthew 14:21 is a key detail in the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Those who ate were about five thousand men...": This states the approximate number of adult men who were fed. The use of "about" suggests it's an estimated figure, not a precise count.
"...besides women and children.": This is crucial. It explicitly states that the number of five thousand only refers to adult men. It implies that a significant number of women and children were also present and were also fed.
In essence, the verse is highlighting the sheer magnitude of the miracle. While the text specifies 5,000 men, the total number of people fed was undoubtedly much larger.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Emphasis on the Abundance: The phrase "besides women and children" underscores the overwhelming abundance of the miracle. It wasn't just a small group that was fed; it was a vast crowd, including the most vulnerable members of society.
Social Context: In that time and culture, men were often the primary focus in public settings. Mentioning "besides women and children" serves to acknowledge their presence and importance, even if they weren't counted as part of the main headcount.
Magnitude of the miracle: The fact that Jesus fed such a large crowd with so little indicates the power and compassion of Jesus. The details of the miracle are important: a little food being shared with a very large crowd and the amount that was available to start. Jesus used the little that was available to him to bless many people, including men, women and children.
In conclusion, Matthew 14:21 provides a powerful glimpse into the scale of Jesus' miracle, highlighting not only the large number of adult men present but also the inclusion and sustenance of women and children, emphasizing the miracle's significance.
Matthew 14:21 - Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
What does "Matthew 14:21" mean?
Matthew 14:21 is a key detail in the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Those who ate were about five thousand men...": This states the approximate number of adult men who were fed. The use of "about" suggests it's an estimated figure, not a precise count.
"...besides women and children.": This is crucial. It explicitly states that the number of five thousand only refers to adult men. It implies that a significant number of women and children were also present and were also fed.
In essence, the verse is highlighting the sheer magnitude of the miracle. While the text specifies 5,000 men, the total number of people fed was undoubtedly much larger.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Emphasis on the Abundance: The phrase "besides women and children" underscores the overwhelming abundance of the miracle. It wasn't just a small group that was fed; it was a vast crowd, including the most vulnerable members of society.
Social Context: In that time and culture, men were often the primary focus in public settings. Mentioning "besides women and children" serves to acknowledge their presence and importance, even if they weren't counted as part of the main headcount.
Magnitude of the miracle: The fact that Jesus fed such a large crowd with so little indicates the power and compassion of Jesus. The details of the miracle are important: a little food being shared with a very large crowd and the amount that was available to start. Jesus used the little that was available to him to bless many people, including men, women and children.
In conclusion, Matthew 14:21 provides a powerful glimpse into the scale of Jesus' miracle, highlighting not only the large number of adult men present but also the inclusion and sustenance of women and children, emphasizing the miracle's significance.