Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 14:20

"And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full." — Matthew 14:20 (ASV)

Twelve baskets full — The basket mentioned here is the cophinus, a small basket carried by hand and often used by travelers to hold their food. So Juvenal (Sat. iii. 14) describes the Jews of Italy as traveling with “their cophinus and a wisp of hay” to use as a pillow, this being their only luggage.

St. John records that the gathering was by our Lord’s express command, that nothing be lost. This marvelous display of creative power was not meant to eliminate forethought, thrift, and economy in using the gifts God had bestowed. It is probable, from the disciples’ language in Mark 6:37 and John 13:29, that they were accustomed to distributing food to the poor in the villages and towns where they preached. We may therefore believe the fragments were reserved for this purpose.