What is the significance of the twelve baskets full of bread that were picked up by the disciples?
Also Matt 14:13-21 What is the significance of the baskets left over when Jesus fed the 5000 men (plus children and women) with 5 loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish? I am asking because in all the accounts of this miracle, the extra 12 baskets were recorded as an important occurrence despite the little differences in the account of the event by Matthew and John.
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Asked December 22 2014
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Daniel Korankye
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Aurel Gheorghe
The number 12 is the perfect number, or represents completeness, according with many Bible scholars. Jesus had 12 disciples and 12 tribes of Israel. The New Jerusalem has 12 foundations, 12 precious stones, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs; there is a tree with 12 kinds of fruit, etc. Personally, as I’m reading the story in John's Gospel, I am impressed with how frugal Jesus was. “So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” (John 6:12) Jesus could have made more bread anytime He wanted; instead He insisted that nothing will go to waste. And maybe that is the more important lesson for us all. He fed the multitudes with bread of life for their spiritual needs, then with bread and fish for their physical needs and finally, He wanted all leftovers to be gathered and nothing to be lost or discarded.
Tony Flores
The Bible does not mention why 12 baskets of food were left over when Jesus fed the 5,000, but I think it meant to signify that He would have 12 Apostiles because, 12 signifies Governmental perfection. There were also 12 Tribes of Israel. Jacob has 12 sons. There are 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels and 12 Foundations in the Heavenly Jerusalem and measures 12,000 Furlongs, while the wall will be 144 (12x12 Cubits Rev 21:16-17). 12 is symbol of perfection. The number 12 appears 187 times in the bible. There are 12 Legions of Angles. The tree of life in the New Creation will have 12 types of Fruit. The number 12, 12, 12 is believed to signify God and Heaven. There are 12 months in the year. I am sure there are other reasons for the number 12 in the bible, and someday we will know all of them and whT Jesus did all the things He did while on earth. Jesus was 12 when He lectured in the Temple. I would also say that since there are 12 months in the year, that He is therefor us 365/366 days a year. If you don't know who Jesus Christ is, then you don't know God for Jesus and the Father are one with the Holy Spirit, God Almighty.
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