Mark 6:38
New International Version
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

New Living Translation
“How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Berean Literal Bible
And He says to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go, see." And having known, they say, "Five, and two fish."

King James Bible
He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

New King James Version
But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

New American Standard Bible
But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

NASB 1995
And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

NASB 1977
And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five and two fish.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

Amplified Bible
He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five [loaves], and two fish.”

Christian Standard Bible
He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look.” When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

American Standard Version
And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus said, "How much bread do you have? Go and see!" They found out and answered, "We have five small loaves of bread and two fish."

English Revised Version
And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they told him, "Five loaves of bread and two fish."

Good News Translation
So Jesus asked them, "How much bread do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they told him, "Five loaves and also two fish."

International Standard Version
He asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have? Go and see." They found out and told him, "Five loaves and two fish."

Majority Standard Bible
?Go and see how many loaves you have,? He told them. And after checking, they said, ?Five?and two fish.?

NET Bible
He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish."

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish."

Webster's Bible Translation
He saith to them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Weymouth New Testament
"How many loaves have you?" He inquired; "go and see." So they found out, and said, "Five; and a couple of fish."

World English Bible
He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He says to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see”; and having known, they say, “Five, and two fishes.”

Berean Literal Bible
And He says to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go, see." And having known, they say, "Five, and two fish."

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to them, 'How many loaves have ye? go and see;' and having known, they say, 'Five, and two fishes.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he says to them, How many loaves have ye? retire and see. And having known, they say, Five, and two fishes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saith to them: How many loaves have you? go and see. And when they knew, they say: Five, and two fishes

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

New American Bible
He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.”

New Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He said to them, Go and see how many loaves of bread you have got here. And when they found out, they said to him, Five loaves of bread and two fish.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He said to them, “Go see how many loaves you have here.” When they looked, they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He said to them: How many loaves have you? Go and see. And when they had learned, they said: Five, and two fishes.

Godbey New Testament
And He says to them; How many loaves have you? go and see. And having ascertained, they say, five loaves and two fishes.

Haweis New Testament
But he said to them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they said, Five, and two fishes.

Mace New Testament
go see, said he, how many loaves you have: and having examin'd, they told him, five, and two fishes.

Weymouth New Testament
"How many loaves have you?" He inquired; "go and see." So they found out, and said, "Five; and a couple of fish."

Worrell New Testament
But He saith to them, "How many loaves have ye? go and see." And, having ascertained, they say, "Five, and two fishes."

Worsley New Testament
But He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they had examined, they said, Five, and two fishes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
37But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” 38“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five— and two fish.” 39Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass.…

Cross References
Matthew 14:17-21
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

Luke 9:13-17
But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ...

John 6:5-13
When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.” ...

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Matthew 15:34-38
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”

John 6:11
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.

John 6:12-13
And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Exodus 16:4-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” / So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, ...

Numbers 11:7-9
Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. / The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

1 Kings 17:12-16
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

Psalm 78:19-25
They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” / Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, ...

Psalm 132:15
I will bless her with abundant provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.


Treasury of Scripture

He said to them, How many loaves have you? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Mark 8:5
And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Matthew 14:17,18
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes…

Matthew 15:34
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

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Mark 6
1. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.
7. He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits.
14. Various opinions of Jesus.
16. John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried.
30. The apostles return from preaching.
34. The miracle of five loaves and two fishes.
45. Jesus walks on the sea;
53. and heals all who touch him.














How many loaves do you have?
This question posed by Jesus is not merely about assessing resources but is a call to faith and recognition of God's provision. The Greek word for "loaves" (ἄρτους, artous) refers to the basic sustenance of life, symbolizing what is available to us in our daily lives. Jesus' inquiry encourages the disciples to take stock of what they have, however meager, and trust that God can multiply it for His purposes. This reflects a broader biblical principle that God often uses what we already possess, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to accomplish His will.

He asked
The act of asking here is significant. Jesus, the omniscient Son of God, already knows the answer, yet He chooses to engage His disciples in this process. This reflects a teaching method that involves participation and reflection. The Greek verb used here (λέγει, legei) implies a continuous action, suggesting that Jesus' questions are an ongoing invitation to dialogue and deeper understanding. It highlights the relational aspect of Jesus' ministry, where He involves His followers in His work, teaching them to rely on divine provision.

Go and see
This command is an invitation to action and discovery. The Greek word for "go" (ὑπάγετε, hypagete) is an imperative, urging the disciples to move and investigate. It suggests that faith is not passive but requires active participation. The phrase "and see" (καὶ ἴδετε, kai idete) implies a deeper perception beyond the physical act of looking. It is a call to discernment, to see with eyes of faith what God can do with what is available. This directive encourages believers to step out in faith, trusting that God will reveal His power and provision.

And when they found out
This phrase indicates a process of discovery and realization. The Greek word for "found out" (γνόντες, gnontes) comes from the root γινώσκω (ginōskō), which means to know or to come to know. It suggests an experiential knowledge gained through investigation. This reflects the journey of faith, where understanding often comes through obedience and action. The disciples' discovery is a precursor to witnessing a miracle, emphasizing that revelation often follows faithful inquiry and obedience.

they said, 'Five, and two fish.'
The response of the disciples highlights the limited resources available, yet it sets the stage for a miraculous provision. The number "five" in biblical numerology often symbolizes grace, while "two" can represent witness or testimony. The Greek word for "fish" (ἰχθύας, ichthyas) is significant in early Christian symbolism, representing Christ Himself. This meager offering, when placed in Jesus' hands, becomes more than sufficient. It serves as a powerful reminder that God can take our limited resources and, through His grace, use them to meet the needs of many. This encourages believers to offer what they have, trusting in God's ability to multiply and bless it for His glory.

Verse 38. - Five (loaves), and two fishes. St. John tells us (John 6:9) that the loaves were of barley, and that the fishes were small (ὀψάρια); St. Mark says δύο ἰχθύας. Barley bread was considered an inferior and homely kind of food, very inferior to bread made of wheat flour. The comparative value of the two kinds of bread is given in Revelation 6:6. "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny." The psalmist alludes to the greater excellence of wheat flour: "He would have fed them also with the finest wheat flour" (Psalm 81:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Go
ὑπάγετε (hypagete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.

[and] see
ἴδετε (idete)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

how many
Πόσους (Posous)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4214: How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).

loaves
ἄρτους (artous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

you have,”
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

He told
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

them.
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

after checking
γνόντες (gnontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

they said,
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Five,
Πέντε (Pente)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4002: Five. A primary number; 'five'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

fish.”
ἰχθύας (ichthyas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2486: A fish. Of uncertain affinity; a fish.


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NT Gospels: Mark 6:38 He said to them How many loaves (Mar Mk Mr)
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