Matthew 14:17

‘And they say to him, “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” '

Their reply was simple. ‘All we have available are five loaves and two fishes'. We learn from elsewhere (John 6:8) that these were contributed by a young boy who had probably preserved them by having the foresight to keep his own packed lunch untouched, ready for his homeward journey, meanwhile no doubt benefiting from the generosity of others (he would think that being grown ups they probably had plenty).

In the light of the mention later of ‘five thousand men', and the later ‘seven loaves' of the parallel story, the numbers are probably seen by Matthew as significant. The ‘five' would represent the covenant, as five regularly does, and this was therefore covenant food. The two fishes would then make up the seven to indicate a divinely complete and perfect meal. It was thus ideal provision for a divine covenant meal. But it did not seem so to the disciples. To them it was just not enough.