Matthew 15 · a question people ask
Are the five thousand and the four thousand two tellings of the same day?
Matthew tells them as two, and Jesus speaks of both. At the first, the disciples said, "We only have here five loaves and two fish" (14:17); "They took up twelve baskets full" (14:20); and "Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children" (14:21). At the second, they said, "Seven, and a few small fish" (15:34); "They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over" (15:37) (tap baskets); and "Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children" (15:38). Later Jesus asks his disciples, "Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up, or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?" (16:9-10). Mark tells both too (Mark 6:35-44; 8:1-9), and Favor's Mark 8 notices that the baskets of the two feedings are two different Greek words. Matthew gives no number for the women and children either time, and Favor's Matthew 14 says so in How many people did Jesus feed? These notes give each telling in its own words.
The verses
“They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.”
“Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.”
“Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up, or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?”