Matthew 14:20

‘And they all ate, and were filled, and they took up what remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.'

We may compare here Psalms 78:25, ‘He sent them food to the full'; and 2 Kings 4:44, ‘they ate and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord'. For these people ate to the full of the Lord's provision, so much so that of what remained the disciples were able to gather twelve wicker basketfuls, that is, sufficient for ‘the twelve tribes of Israel'. This last was the guarantee of their future provision at His hands. He not only fed them now, He would continue to feed them in the future.

‘And were filled.' Compare ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled' (Matthew 5:6). It is not only their physical hunger that is to be satisfied. They are also to be satiated with righteousness and salvation. See also Isaiah 55:2

So that day the needs of His people were met, and both their spirits and their bodies had been satisfied. His own countrymen might turn against Him (Matthew 13:53), the authorities and Herod could do their worst (Matthew 14:1), but nothing could hinder the forward movement of God's purposes through His Deliverer as He led them forward in a new Exodus, feeding them upon Himself as the bread of life received by coming to Him and believing on Him (John 6:35).