Overview
The Bible addresses loaves across 18 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Miracles of Christ, the, Bread and Fishes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
Key Bible verses about loaves
New Testament
Matthew
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
He said, Bring them hither to me.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
Luke
And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
People in the Bible and loaves
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying loaves for yourself
- Begin with Matthew 14:15, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Miracles of Christ, the, Bread and Fishes.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about loaves?
The Bible addresses loaves across 18 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Miracles of Christ, the, Bread and Fishes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about loaves?
The Bible references loaves in 18 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention loaves?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 14:15: “And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with loaves?
Jesus.
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