κλάσμα

a fragment

Definition

κλάσμα refers specifically to a fragment or broken piece, often of food. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the leftover pieces of bread from a meal, particularly from the miraculous feedings of the multitudes (e.g., Matthew 14:20, Mark 8:8). The word emphasizes the physical result of breaking bread—the smaller, usable portions that remain. In John 6:12, Jesus instructs the disciples to gather up the fragments so that nothing is wasted, highlighting both the abundance of the miracle and the value of the remnants.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the context of the miraculous feedings recorded in the Gospels. It appears in all four accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to describe the collected leftovers after the crowds have eaten. The usage pattern is remarkably uniform: it always refers to the broken pieces of bread gathered in baskets following Jesus' multiplication of the loaves. Key examples include Matthew 14:20 and Mark 8:8, where the abundance of fragments demonstrates the scale of the miracle.

Etymology

Derived from the verb κλάω (klaō, G2806), meaning 'to break.' The noun κλάσμα literally means 'that which is broken' or 'a fragment.' It is related to the term for the breaking of bread (κλάσις ἄρτου) in the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42). The root concept is the action of breaking, which gives the noun its specific meaning of a resulting piece.

Semantic Range

Though a simple noun, κλάσμα gains theological significance through its exclusive association with Jesus' feeding miracles. The gathered fragments (κλάσματα) serve as tangible proof of divine abundance and provision, pointing to Jesus as the 'bread of life' (John 6:35). In John 6:12-13, the careful collection of the fragments underscores the value of God's gifts and may foreshadow the gathering of the believing community. Understanding this term enriches reading by connecting the physical leftovers to themes of sufficiency, stewardship, and Christ's sustaining power.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, bread was a staple food, and the act of breaking and sharing it was central to meals and hospitality. Gathering leftovers was a practical concern to avoid waste, but in the context of Jesus' miracles, the abundance of fragments (filling multiple baskets) would have been a stunning sign of supernatural provision, contrasting with ordinary expectations of scarcity.

ψωμίον (psōmion, G5596) — a small morsel or bit of food; a more general term for a piece of bread. ἄρτος (artos, G740) — the loaf of bread itself, before it is broken into fragments (κλάσματα).

Word Details

Scripture References