Luke 9:17 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:17 mean?

Luke 9:17 describes how everyone present ate and was satisfied, and afterward, the disciples collected twelve baskets full of leftover pieces. This verse shows that the food provided was more than enough for the crowd, leaving a significant amount remaining.

In this scene, Jesus has just fed a large crowd with a small amount of food, and the disciples gather up the leftovers. The verse highlights the abundance of what was given, showing that not only did everyone have enough to eat, but there was plenty left over. This detail emphasizes the completeness and generosity of the provision in the story.

The Greek behind Luke 9:17

• "filled" (ἐχορτάσθησαν, echortasthēsan): This word means to be fully satisfied or to have enough to eat, not just a small portion. It stresses that the crowd was completely satisfied, not merely given a taste.
• "fragments" (κλάσματα, klasmata): This refers to the pieces or leftovers of food. The use of this word points out that nothing was wasted, and even the remains were gathered and valued.
• "twelve baskets" (δώδεκα κοφίνους, dōdeka kophinous): The number twelve often has symbolic significance in the Bible, sometimes representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Here, it also shows the abundance of the miracle, as each disciple collects a full basket.

Why Luke 9:17 matters

• Luke 9:17 clears up the idea that the crowd only received a small amount; the language shows they were fully satisfied, not just given a token meal.
• The verse emphasizes the abundance of Jesus’s provision, highlighting that there was more left over than what they started with.
• This detail connects to the wider passage by showing the miraculous nature of the event and underlining the care and orderliness with which the disciples gathered the leftovers.