SIL Translator’s Notes on John 6:13

6:13a

So they collected them: The disciples did what Jesus told them to do (6:12b) and collected the leftover food (food that remained after everyone ate). They did this so that people or animals could eat it later. In this way the food was not lost or wasted. Here is another way to translate this clause:

So they picked up the pieces (New Living Translation (2004))

6:13b–c

and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten: The disciples put the leftover (remaining) bread in baskets. The fish is not mentioned. These leftovers filled twelve (12) baskets.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that were left uneaten (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves (New Living Translation (2004))

baskets: These baskets were containers made from grass or reeds woven together. We do not know how big they were. Use a general term for a basket used for carrying grain or bread. The same Greek word is used in Matthew 14:20, Mark 6:43, and Mark 8:19.

General Comment on 6:13a–c

Some translations move the statement about filling the twelve baskets to the end of the sentence. For example:

13a So they gathered them up, 13c and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, 13b they filled twelve baskets (New Revised Standard Version)

Another way to translate 6:13a–c is to combine the information:

13a–c They took the leftover pieces of bread and put them into baskets. In this way they filled twelve baskets.

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