And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

MATTHEW 14:21KJV
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Matthew 14:21 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:21 mean?

Matthew 14:21 states that about five thousand men ate the food Jesus provided, not counting the women and children who were also present. This verse highlights the large number of people fed during the miracle, making it clear that the total crowd was much greater than just the men.

In this scene, Matthew is describing the aftermath of Jesus feeding a massive crowd with just a small amount of food. The verse specifically notes that the count of "about five thousand" refers only to the men (adult males), and that women and children were not included in this number. This detail emphasizes the extraordinary scale of the miracle and shows that the actual number of people fed was likely much higher than five thousand.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:21

  • ἄνδρες (andres, G435): This word means "men" in the sense of adult males, not just people in general. By using this term, Matthew makes it clear that the five thousand counted did not include women or children.
  • χωρὶς (chōris, G5565): This word means "beside" or "apart from." It signals that the number given is exclusive of another group—in this case, women and children—so the total crowd was even larger.
  • γυναῖκες (gynaikes, G1135) and παιδία (paidia, G3813): These words mean "women" and "children," respectively. Their mention highlights that the crowd was made up of whole families, not just men.

Why Matthew 14:21 matters

  • Matthew 14:21 clarifies that the miracle of feeding the crowd was even more impressive than it might seem at first glance, since the number of people fed was far greater than five thousand.
  • The verse helps correct a common misunderstanding that only five thousand people were present, when in fact the total could have been two or three times higher.
  • By specifying men, women, and children, Matthew shows the inclusiveness of Jesus' ministry and the broad impact of this miracle on all types of people in the crowd.

Where else these words appear

“thousand” Greek G4000 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Mark 6:44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
  • Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

“about” Greek G5616 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
  • Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

“beside” Greek G5565 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
  • Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
  • Hebrews 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

“children” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.