John 6:12

12 And when they had had enough, Jesus said to his disciples, Take up the broken bits which are over, so that nothing may be wasted.

John 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 6:12

When they were filled
Had not only eaten, but had made a full meal, and were thoroughly satisfied, having eaten as much as they could, or chose to eat:

he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain,
that nothing be lost;
this he said, partly that the truth, reality, and greatness of the miracle might be clearly discerned; and partly, to teach frugality, that, in the midst of abundance, care be taken that nothing be lost of the good things which God gives; and which may be useful to other persons, or at another time.

John 6:12 In-Context

10 Jesus said, Let the people be seated. Now there was much grass in that place. And those seated on the grass were about five thousand.

11 Then Jesus took the cakes and having given praise to God, he gave them to the people who were seated, and the fishes in the same way, as much as they had need of.

12 And when they had had enough, Jesus said to his disciples, Take up the broken bits which are over, so that nothing may be wasted.

13 So they took them up: twelve baskets full of broken bits of the five cakes which were over after the people had had enough.

14 And when the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, Truly, this is the prophet who is to come into the world.