New Testament
Luke 9:17
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Everyone ate and was completely satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces.
Compare translations
And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
What Luke 9:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see the miraculous feeding of a large crowd by Jesus. After everyone had eaten and was satisfied, the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftover food. This highlights not only Jesus' ability to provide abundantly but also the importance of sharing and not wasting resources. The number of baskets signifies that there was more than enough to meet the needs of the people, emphasizing God's generosity. The act of gathering leftovers also teaches us to be responsible stewards of what we have. This event is a powerful reminder of Jesus' compassion and care for people's physical needs, as well as a foreshadowing of the spiritual nourishment He offers. It illustrates that in God's kingdom, there is always enough to go around, and He can multiply our resources when we trust Him. The disciples' involvement in collecting the leftovers shows their active participation in Jesus' ministry, encouraging us to be involved in serving others.
How to apply Luke 9:17 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's provision and to share generously with others. It reminds us that even in challenging situations, God can provide abundantly. We should also be mindful of how we use our resources and ensure that nothing goes to waste, reflecting God's care for creation.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Feeding the Five Thousand (Luke 9:10–17)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 9:17
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 9:17
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 9:17 mean?
Luke 9:17 describes the miracle where Jesus feeds a large crowd with five loaves and two fish. After everyone ate and was satisfied, the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftovers, showing Jesus' ability to provide abundantly.
What is the significance of the twelve baskets in Luke 9:17?
The twelve baskets of leftovers in Luke 9:17 symbolize God's generosity and the abundance of provision. It indicates that there was more than enough food to meet the needs of the people, emphasizing the importance of stewardship.
How does Luke 9:17 relate to stewardship?
Luke 9:17 teaches about stewardship through the collection of leftover food. It emphasizes the importance of not wasting resources and being responsible with what we have, reflecting God's care for creation.
What themes are present in Luke 9:17?
Key themes in Luke 9:17 include the miracle of provision, abundance, discipleship, stewardship, compassion, faith, and community. These themes highlight Jesus' care for both physical and spiritual needs.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.