Matthew 14:17 (KJV) says, "And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes."

This verse is part of a well-known story in the Bible, when Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the five thousand. In this verse, the disciples are responding to Jesus, who had instructed them to give the crowd something to eat. The disciples are expressing disbelief at the idea of being able to feed such a large crowd with so little food. This verse sets the stage for the miracle that is about to take place and highlights the disciples' lack of faith in Jesus' ability to provide for the people.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. Prior to this event, Jesus had been ministering to the crowds, healing the sick, and preaching the message of the kingdom of God. As the day was coming to a close, the disciples urged Jesus to send the crowds away so they could go into the surrounding villages and buy themselves some food. However, Jesus instructs the disciples to give the people something to eat themselves. This is where the disciples express their doubt about their ability to provide for the large crowd. It is in this context that Jesus performs the miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes, demonstrating his divine power and provision.

One of the key themes in this verse is the theme of faith. The disciples' response to Jesus reveals their lack of faith in his ability to provide for the people. This lack of faith is a recurring theme in the Gospels, as the disciples often struggled to understand and believe in Jesus' power and authority. By performing this miracle, Jesus is not only providing for the physical needs of the people but also demonstrating the importance of faith in God's ability to provide for his people.

Another important theme in this verse is the theme of abundance. Despite the apparent scarcity of food, Jesus is able to take the five loaves and two fishes and multiply them to feed the entire crowd with plenty left over. This miracle highlights the abundance of God's provision and his ability to meet the needs of his people beyond what they can imagine. It also serves as a reminder that with God, nothing is impossible, and he is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine.

The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The five loaves and two fishes represent the small, insignificant offering that the disciples had to work with. This symbolizes the inadequacy of human resources and the need for divine intervention. Jesus' ability to multiply these meager offerings into an abundance of food symbolizes his power to take what is limited and transform it into something abundant and overflowing. This symbolism is a powerful reminder of God's ability to work through our limitations and provide for our needs in ways that surpass our understanding.

In conclusion, Matthew 14:17 is a verse that sets the stage for one of the most well-known miracles performed by Jesus. It highlights the disciples' lack of faith and sets the context for the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The themes of faith and abundance are central to this verse, and the symbolism of the five loaves and two fishes represents the power of God to work through human limitations and provide in abundance. This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision for his people, and it challenges us to trust in his ability to provide for our needs, even in the face of apparent scarcity.