Mateus 14:15-17

In view of the context (Matthew 14:23) and the meaning of "evening" (Gr. opsios), the time must have been late afternoon. [Note: See ibid., 1:681.] There were several small towns within walking distance of this region where the people could have bought their own suppers.

Jesus directions (Matthew 14:16) turned the disciples’ attention to their own resources. By urging them to consider these, Jesus was leading them to recognize their personal inadequacy and to appeal to Him as the only adequate resource (cf. John 2:1-11). There is nothing in the text or context that suggests the number of the loaves and fishes had symbolic significance, though many of the commentators have thought so.