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The miraculous feeding of the 5000 is recorded in all 4 Gospels. Matthew 14:21 specifies 5,000 males, and further emphasizes the point by adding, “Besides women and children.” Many Bible scholars believe the actual number fed that day could have been 15,000 – 20,000 people.
When traveling, Jews would have carried baskets with them which contained their provisions and necessities. Many believe this was because if they happened upon a Gentile region, they could stick to their own food instead of eating contaminated meat.
The baskets are important for the story. We get more background from John’s version of this story, but the disciples are skeptical at first. When Jesus tells them to feed the people, they immediately think, how are we going to afford that much food? Their minds can’t fathom any other way to provide for the people. Jesus provides the miracle and the disciples joyfully feed the crowd.
If it is true that Jews carried around baskets, it would make sense that 12 were filled at the end of the meal. Each disciple may have been carrying his own personal basket. However, the fact that Matthew mentions the baskets are full is significant. It is almost as if Matthew is highlighting the fact that Jesus not only provides for your mission, but He provides for you as well. The disciples never asked for leftovers, but Jesus provided abundantly.
It’s really a great metaphor for our spiritual walk. When you rely on Christ for strength, He will provide you resources for the mission He called you to, but He will also provide for you personally. This isn’t a prosperity message. This is the Father-child relationship woven beautifully together in The Lord’s Prayer with the words, “Give us this day our daily bread…” God The Father provides for His children!
He always fills the basket.