The answer is: 2

Mark 6:38

In the vivid account from Mark 6 of the feeding of the 5,000, we find a remarkable story that transcends its immediate detail. When the disciples were asked what they had, they mentioned five loaves of bread and two fish. Fascinatingly, this tiny quantity of food would be the catalyst for one of the most referenced miracles in the Bible—a miraculous act that showcases compassion and, quite significantly, community.

Did you know that the number two often holds various significances in biblical terms? In this case, we see how anything we have, no matter how little, can be transformed into something abundant in the right context. Traditionally, fish represent abundance and cooperation in numerous cultures, reinforcing that everyone has a part to play in the larger scheme of collaboration.

Reflecting on the miracle, parallels can be drawn to what’s often called “the power of sharing.” What starts as scarce provisions becomes a feast—symbolizing hope and divine provision. This connects with stories throughout the Bible about scarcity transforming into sufficiency, echoing similar messages from the The Widow's Oil in 2 Kings and the manna in the desert.

Moreover, this instance provokes thought about resourcefulness and the responsibility individuals hold toward one another. When offered even the simplest gifts—a common food like fish—the outcomes can be extraordinary when unity is embraced. Each miracle, such as the feeding of the 5,000, beckons us to remind ourselves of larger communal principles found in the human experience. Think of it as a divine potluck with everyone invited!