John 6:12 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 6:12

Gather up the fragments - This command is omitted by the other evangelists. It shows the care of Jesus that there should be no waste. Though he had power to provide any quantity of food, yet he has here taught us that the bounties of Providence are not to be squandered. In all things the Saviour set us an example of frugality, though he had an infinite supply at his disposal; he was himself economical, though he was Lord of all. If he was thus saving, it becomes us dependent creatures not to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 6:5-14

John 6:5-14. When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him That is, gathered round him; he saith unto Philip Namely, after he had first taught the people many things, as we learn from the other evangelists, and had healed them, that had need of healing, Mark 6:34; Luke 9:11; Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? He addressed himself to Philip particularly, because he, being a native of Bethsaida, was best acquainted with that country. This he said to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 6:1-14

65. Feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14)When the apostles returned from their first tour around the country areas, they met Jesus in Galilee and tried to have a quiet time alone with him (Mark 6:30-32; John 6:1). Jesus also was in need of a rest, but he was filled with pity when he saw the crowds of people flocking to him in their need. They appeared to him as a flock of spiritually starved sheep that had no food because there was no shepherd to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 6:12

When = But when. filled . Not the same word as in John 6:26 . remain = remain over, as in John 6:13 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 6:12

And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.That nothing be lost ... If Jesus was solicitous regarding the mere crumbs left over from his creation, how much more would he desire that no human soul whatever should be lost.Broken pieces ... refers to crumbs as well as larger pieces. Thus Jesus disregarded the popular superstition of the times that demons lurked in crumbs. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 6:12

John 6:12. Gather up the fragments— Though Jesus was entirely free from worldly cares, and from all anxiety about futurity, he did not think it unworthy of him, on this occasion, to order his disciples to take care of the broken pieces of meat left by the multitude. The reason mentioned by him for their doing so, namely, that nothing might be lost, deserves our notice: for it shews us, that he to whom the earth and the fulness thereof belong, willeth every man to take due care of all the goods... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 6:1-15

1. The fourth sign: feeding the 5,000 6:1-15 (cf. Matthew 14:13-23; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10-17)The importance of this sign is clear in that all four Gospels contain an account of it. Apparently John was familiar with the other evangelists’ versions of this miracle as well as being an eyewitness of the event. His story compliments the others (cf. John 6:5; John 6:15). This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ authority over quantity. [Note: Tenney, John: The Gospel . . ., p. 312.] It constitutes further... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 6:12-13

Everyone had enough to eat. Jesus satisfied everyone’s appetite. There was even quite a bit of food left over that Jesus instructed His disciples to collect to avoid waste. All four evangelists noted that there were 12 large Jewish baskets (Gr. kophinos) of bread fragments left over. Commentators have suggested that they represent food for the disciples or food for Israel’s 12 tribes. At least this detail proves the abundance of Jesus’ provision for the people who were present. Each of the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:1-71

The Bread of LifeJohn 6:1 to John 7:1. Feeding the five thousand. Walking upon the sea. Discourse upon the bread of life. Defection of many disciples. The Apostles stand firm.Returning from Jerusalem, our Lord met the Apostles somewhere on the W. of the lake (perhaps at Capernaum), and heard their report of their mission (Luke 9:10). He then spent about a fortnight preaching and healing the sick (John 6:2), and afterwards, seeking retirement, sailed with them to a desert place on the NE. coast... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 6:12

(12) Gather up the fragments.—Again St. John connects immediately with our Lord what the other Evangelists relate of the disciples. It is from this passage only that we know that the gathering of the fragments followed His express command. read more