1 At that time the crowd being very numerous, and having no food, he called his disciple, and said to them,

2 I have compassion on the multitude; for they attend me now three days, and have nothing to eat;

3 and if I send them home fasting, their strength will fail by the way; for some of them have come from afar.

4 His disciples answered, Whence can we supply these people with bread here in the desert?

5 He asked them, How many loaves have you? They said, Seven.

6 Then commanding the multitude to place themselves upon the ground, he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, that they might distribute them to the people, and they distributed them.

7 They had also a few small fishes, which, after blessing, he likewise ordered to be presented.

8 So they eat, and were satisfied; and the fragments which remained, were carried off in seven hand-baskets.

9 Now they who had eat were about four thousand.