In Greek took is the main verb of the sentence begun in verse 35. Moreover, it translates the same verb used in 14.19. The remaining three verbs, having given thanks, broke, and gave, are also found in 14.19. Took may be rendered as “picked up” or “held (in his hands).” See 14.19 for further discussion.

Fish translates the normal Greek word for fish, as opposed to the word which technically means “little fish” in verse 34. In both verses Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders “fish,” assuming that the author intended no distinction between the two words.

Having given thanks: the Greek text does not specify to whom it was that Jesus gave thanks, but Good News Translation, Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition, and Bible en français courant indicate it was “to God.” Some languages will also require that translators indicate that he thanked God “for the food.”

In 14.19 it seemed Jesus broke only the loaves of bread, but in this verse he breaks the fish too.

As previously noted, gave is the same verb used in 14.19; however, the tense used here is imperfect, perhaps laying stress upon the action of distributing the bread and fish.

And the disciples gave them to the crowds is literally “and the disciples to the crowds.” The same construction is found in 14.19, and in both instances it is necessary to supply a verb in the English restructuring. Some Greek manuscripts read “his disciples” in place of the disciples, but the meaning is the same, and many languages will require “his disciples” in any case.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .