New Testament
Luke 9:17
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, we see the miraculous feeding of a large crowd by Jesus.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Everyone ate and was completely satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces.
And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
Verse Analysis
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. Explore related abundance.
Related Bible verses
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
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.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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