John 6:12

When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.”

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.”

BSB

And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”

KJV

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

ASV

And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.

BBE

And when they had had enough, Jesus said to his disciples, Take up the broken bits which are over, so that nothing may be wasted.

Original Greek

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The early church

"And He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments which remain;-and they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets." This was not a superfluous show, but in order that the matter might not be deemed a mere illusion; and for this reason He createth from matter already subsisting. "But why gave He not the bread to the multitudes to bear, but only to His disciples?" Because He was most desirous to instruct these who were to be the teachers of the world. The multitude would not as yet reap any great fruit from the miracles, (at least they straightway forgot this one and asked for another,) while these would gain no common profit. And what took place was moreover no ordinary condemnation of Judas, who bore a basket.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on John
(Tr. xxiv. s. 6) And what are the fragments, but the parts which the people could not eat? An intimation, that those deeper truths, which the multitude cannot take in, should be entrusted to those who are capable of receiving them, and afterwards teaching them to others; as were the Apostles. For which reason twelve baskets were filled with them.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
And what are the fragments, but things which the multitude could not eat? Some secret meanings, then, are to be understood, which the multitude cannot receive; what remains but that they be entrusted to those who are able also to teach others, as were the apostles? For which reason, twelve baskets were filled. A wonderful thing was wrought, and a mighty deed; but if one intently consider it, it is as the works of God. He who out of a few grains multiplies the harvests, multiplied the five loaves in His hands.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Tractates on John

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–14

John relates the miracle of feeding the multitude, for its reference to the following discourse. Observe the effect this miracle had upon the people. Even the common Jews expected the Messiah to come into the world, and to be a great Prophet. The Pharisees despised them as not knowing the law; but they knew most of Him who is the end of the law. Yet men may acknowledge Christ as that Prophet, and still turn a deaf ear to him.

Read Matthew Henry on John 6 →

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Topics

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.