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John 6:13 KJV
Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
It is said the fragments of the five barley loaves filled twelve baskets while no mention is made of the fragments of the fish
What is the spiritual meaning of the above text?
John Chrysostom gives this interpretation, which I find very sound: the 12 baskets full of the remaining food was to be taken by each of the 12 apostles. This was intended for them to perceive through the very weight of the food that this was a real miracle and not any sort of an illusion or hallucination; and also in the future to remember tangibly this miracle and not falter in the time of trial, but get strengthened in faith through this remembering.
The "Bread" is the "token" of the flesh of Christ and His body crucified for mankind while the "fish" is the believers of Christ. His Apostles and disciples were to be "fishers" of men The "fragments" of bread were to be gathered and consumed by the righteous who were not in attendance who sought out the Lord but because of circumstance were unable to attend His sermon(s) but could be partakers of the "gift" or "token" and not denied. With the Lord nothing was considered waste that He puts His name to. The fish was consumed as it could not be sustained for a period of time because it would decay or rot and those present ate according to the "sign" that was with them and they were "filled" with Spirit in spite of the multitude with limited supply. Fish as a sign of believers is like unto consuming every word from the mouth of God and not left to spoil, thereby no fish fragments are mentioned. Like the widow at Sarepta whose cruse of oil and flour sustained without being diminished in famine.
