Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples' request isn't just about logistics; it reveals their practical limitation. They see a huge crowd in a remote area as the sun sets and immediately think about the impossibility of feeding everyone, missing that Jesus might have a different solution.
Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus and his disciples have just returned from a mission, and the crowds are following them everywhere, even to a secluded, deserted place near Bethsaida. As evening approaches, the disciples, concerned about the growing hunger and the lack of provisions in the desolate area, urge Jesus to send the people away to find food and lodging in nearby towns.
As the sun begins to set, the disciples see a problem and voice a sensible solution. What does this reveal about their mindset and Jesus's mission?
A Need Arises
The disciples, noticing the day beginning to 'wear away'—meaning the sun was starting to set—approach Jesus with a practical concern. They see the massive crowd, estimated at around five thousand men (plus women and children), gathered in a desolate, unpopulated area. Their immediate thought is for the people's well-being: lodging and food.
The Disciples' Logic
Their suggestion is logical: 'Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions.' They recognize that in this 'desert place,' there are no facilities to accommodate such a large group for the night or to purchase necessary supplies. It's a reasonable request born out of concern for the comfort and safety of the people, and perhaps even a bit of their own logistical challenge.
While the disciples focus on sending the people away, Jesus sees something more profound. What deeper need does He address?
More Than Just Food
Jesus hears the disciples' practical suggestion, but His response reveals a heart motivated by deep compassion. While the disciples are thinking about logistical problems and the crowd's physical needs for shelter and food, Jesus is seeing them as 'sheep without a shepherd.' He recognizes their spiritual hunger and their need for more than just a place to sleep or a meal.
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Divine Provision
Jesus's subsequent actions—feeding the five thousand—demonstrate that His concern goes beyond mere physical relief. He doesn't see a logistical nightmare; He sees an opportunity to reveal God's abundant provision and His own identity as the Good Shepherd. This miracle is not just about filling stomachs; it's a powerful sign pointing to the spiritual nourishment He offers, which truly satisfies.
Understand the original words
dōdeka · Greek Noun/Numeral
A specific group of twelve men chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers, witnesses to His ministry, and eventually the foundational leaders of the early church. Their name signifies their role as representatives of the restored tribes of Israel.
erēmos topos · Greek Noun/Adjective
A place characterized by a lack of resources, solitude, or being uninhabited. In Scripture, it is often a setting where God provides for His people miraculously, echoing the wilderness experience of Israel during the Exodus.
This event occurs during Jesus' intensive ministry in Galilee, shortly after his disciples have completed their first mission. The setting in a 'desert place' near Bethsaida highlights the disciples' practical concerns about logistics versus Jesus' profound compassion and divine provision for the people.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' public ministry begins
Jesus begins his itinerant teaching and healing ministry throughout Galilee, drawing large crowds.
Early 1st century AD
The Twelve Apostles are chosen and sent out
Jesus appoints his twelve closest disciples as apostles and sends them out on their first mission trip.
Early 1st century AD
Return of the Twelve Apostles
The twelve disciples return from their mission trip, eager to share their experiences with Jesus.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus and disciples withdraw to Bethsaida
Seeking a private place for rest and reflection, Jesus takes the twelve to a desolate area near Bethsaida.
Early 1st century AD
Large crowds follow Jesus to the desolate place
Despite Jesus' attempt at privacy, a large multitude follows him and his disciples, eager to hear him and be healed.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Disciples express concern over dwindling day
As evening approaches in the remote location, the disciples urge Jesus to send the crowds away to find food and lodging.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus feeds the five thousand
Jesus miraculously multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed the massive crowd, demonstrating his power and compassion.
This passage describes the disciples bringing up the same practical problem of feeding the crowd, highlighting the disciples' initial thought to send people away rather than directly confronting the need.
Mark 6:35Mark's account echoes the disciples' concern about the location and the late hour, reinforcing the urgency of the situation and their proposed solution to find provisions elsewhere.
John 6:5John's Gospel focuses on Jesus' direct questioning of Philip about where to buy bread, shifting the focus to Jesus' intentional testing of his disciples' faith and understanding.
Deuteronomy 8:3This Old Testament passage speaks to God's provision in the wilderness, offering a theological backdrop to Jesus' miraculous feeding, demonstrating that God can sustain His people even in desolate places.
Psalm 78:19-20The psalmist recounts God providing bread in the wilderness for the Israelites, drawing a parallel to Jesus' miraculous provision and showing this is a pattern of God's care for His people in times of need.
barnesLuke 9:12: "And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place."
Day began to wear away - To decline, or as it drew near toward evening.
gillLuke 9:12: "And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place."
When the day began to wear away,.... Or "to decline", as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions; or "to incline", as the Syriac; that is, as the Ethiopic version renders it, "when the sun was declining" towards the "horizon" and was almost set; or "when the eveni…
The disciples' request isn't just about logistics; it reveals their practical limitation. They see a huge crowd in a remote area as the sun sets and immediately think about the impossibility of feeding everyone, missing that Jesus might have a different solution.
Jesus and his disciples have just returned from a mission, and the crowds are following them everywhere, even to a secluded, deserted place near Bethsaida. As evening approaches, the disciples, concerned about the growing hunger and the lack of provisions in the desolate area, urge Jesus to send the people away to find food and lodging in nearby towns.
Jesus and his disciples have just returned from a mission, and the crowds are following them everywhere, even to a secluded, deserted place near Bethsaida. As evening approaches, the disciples, concerned about the growing hunger and the lack of provisions in the desolate area, urge Jesus to send the people away to find food and lodging in nearby towns.
"Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”" — The disciples' request isn't just about logistics; it reveals their practical limitation. They see a huge crowd in a remote area as the sun sets and immediately think about the impossibility of fee…
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Last reviewed October 2026