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John 6:9

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 6:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?
John 6:9 — American Standard Version

Context — John 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings` worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little.
8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter`s brother, saith unto him,
9There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?
10Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would.
12And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There is a lad here, etc.] Who either belonged to Christ and his disciples, and was employed to carry their provisions for them; which, if so, shows how meanly Christ and his disciples lived; or he belonged to some in the multitude; or rather he came here to sell what he had got: which hath five barley loaves. The land of Canaan was a land of barley, as well as wheat, (<050808>Deuteronomy 8:8); this sort of grain grew there in plenty, and was in much use; the Jews had a barley harvest, (<080122>Ruth 1:22), which was at the time of the passover; for on the second day after the passover, the sheaf of the first fruits was waved before the Lord, which was of barley; hence the Targumist on the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:9 Barley was the grain of the poor. The loaves were similar to pita bread. The two fish would have been salted, and with the five loaves of bread would make one meal.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Mat 14:17, Mat 16:9; Mar 6:38, Mar 8:19; Luk 9:13 barley: Deu 8:8, Deu 32:14; Kg1 4:28; Kg2 7:1; Psa 81:16, Psa 147:14; Eze 27:17; Co2 8:9; Rev 6:6 but: Joh 6:7, Joh 11:21, Joh 11:32; Kg2 4:42-44; Psa 78:19, Psa 78:41 John 6:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification