loaves and fishes

Cultural  

1. A miracle that Jesus performed; the Gospels record several instances of this miracle, with small differences in details. In the best known, Jesus was preaching to a crowd of thousands who grew hungry and needed to be fed, but only five loaves and two fishes could be found. He blessed the food and then commanded his disciples to distribute it among the people. After everyone had eaten and was satisfied, twelve baskets of food remained.

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Example Sentences

In the Bible, Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of people with seven loaves and fishes.

From National Geographic • Jul. 26, 2023

White Americans are asking hard questions about white privilege and — in a miracle on par with the loaves and fishes — many appear, for the first time, to be listening to the answers.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2020

Though Brown longs to transmute leaves into loaves and fishes, the more immediate concern is the drive-through at fast-food restaurants.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 23, 2019

Well, the volunteers cooking in Caguas, taking a few loaves and fishes, feeding the crowd with a meal and with joy, show us a better way ahead.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2017

I eliminated the one about multiplying loaves and fishes, as I never wanted to see food again.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd