John 6:8-9

Andrew had discovered a young lad (Gr. paidarion, a double diminutive) who had five small barley biscuits and two small fish (Gr. opsaria). Probably the fish would have served as a relish to eat with the bread. [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 270.] Barley bread was the food of the poor. One writer called the boy’s food mere "hors d’oeuvres." [Note: Tenney, "John," p. 72.] Andrew seems to have felt embarrassed that he had even suggested such an inadequate solution to the problem.

John may have intended his unique inclusion of the details of this boy and his lunch to remind his readers of Elisha’s similar miracle (2 Kings 4:42-44). The same Greek word for "boy" occurs in the Septuagint translation of that story (2 Kings 4:38; 2 Kings 4:41). The main point, however, was the lack of adequate food and Jesus’ ability to feed a multitude with such meager resources.