Matthew 14:15-16
Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The disciples' practical concern for the crowd's hunger and the late hour is their immediate focus, revealing a natural, human tendency to rely on logistical solutions. However, their statement that the place is "desert" (a word emphasizing emptiness and lack of resources) is a subtle setup, highlighting the stark contrast to Jesus' radical, miraculous provision that follows.
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area after they followed him from nearby towns. As evening approaches, the disciples, noticing the people are hungry and far from any food sources, urge Jesus to dismiss them so they can buy something to eat.
Understand the original words
Iēsous · Greek Proper Noun
In a theological context, this refers to the Son of God, the incarnate Word, who possesses both full divinity and full humanity. He is the central figure of the New Testament, the promised Messiah, and the Savior of mankind.
The disciples' practical concern for the crowds' physical needs highlights their limited understanding of Jesus' power, setting the stage for the dramatic miracle of feeding the five thousand.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist, a vital precursor to Jesus' ministry, is imprisoned by Herod Antipas. This event prompts Jesus to withdraw to a more secluded area.
c. AD 28
Jesus Withdraws to a Desert Place
Following John's imprisonment, Jesus moves to a desolate area, likely seeking a brief respite for himself and his disciples. However, crowds discover his location and follow him.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches and Heals
Jesus compassionately receives the large crowd that has gathered. He spends time teaching them about the Kingdom of God and healing those who are sick.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples Express Concern About Food
As evening approaches, the disciples become aware that the crowds have been present all day without food. They urge Jesus to send the people away to buy provisions in nearby villages.
This passage recounts the same feeding miracle, but from a different perspective, highlighting Jesus' conversation with Philip about how to feed the crowd and the role of Andrew in pointing out the boy with the loaves and fishes. It emphasizes Jesus testing Philip and the disciples' initial practical limitations compared to Jesus' divine power.
Mark 6:35-44This parallel account also describes the feeding of the five thousand, with Mark emphasizing Jesus' compassion for the crowd 'because they were like sheep without a shepherd.' This adds a pastoral dimension to the disciples' practical concern about the desolate location and passing time.
Luke 9:12-17Luke's version of the feeding miracle similarly focuses on the disciples' practical concern, as they tell Jesus to send the crowds away to buy food. It underscores the disciples' role in distributing the food after Jesus blessed and broke it, showing them as instruments of His provision.
Exodus 16:1-18This Old Testament account describes God providing manna for the Israelites in the desert after they complained about hunger. It establishes a precedent for God miraculously providing for His people's physical needs in desolate circumstances, mirroring Jesus' actions.
1 Kings 17:8-16calvinMatthew 14:13-21: "When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities."
- When Jesus heard this, he departed thence to a ship to a desert place apart; and when the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14. And Jesus, when leaving (the ship,) saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and healed of such of them as were diseased. 15. A…
clarkeMatthew 14:15: "And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals."
Send the multitude away, that they may go - and buy - The disciples of Christ are solicitous for the people's temporal as well a spiritual welfare: and he is not worthy to be called a minister of Christ, who dues not endeavor to promote both to the uttermost of his power. The preac…
The disciples' practical concern for the crowd's hunger and the late hour is their immediate focus, revealing a natural, human tendency to rely on logistical solutions. However, their statement that the place is "desert" (a word emphasizing emptiness and lack of resources) is a subtle setup, highlighting the stark contrast to Jesus' radical, miraculous provision that follows.
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area after they followed him from nearby towns. As evening approaches, the disciples, noticing the people are hungry and far from any food sources, urge Jesus to dismiss them so they can buy something to eat.
Jesus has just finished teaching a large crowd in a remote area after they followed him from nearby towns. As evening approaches, the disciples, noticing the people are hungry and far from any food sources, urge Jesus to dismiss them so they can buy something to eat.
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c. AD 28
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Instead of sending the crowds away, Jesus miraculously multiplies five loaves and two fish, feeding approximately five thousand men, plus women and children. This is a pivotal demonstration of his power and care.
This passage tells the story of Elijah being sent to a widow in Zarephath during a famine, where her small supply of flour and oil is miraculously multiplied. It shows a prophet, like Jesus, able to extend limited provisions to meet desperate needs.
"Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give th…" — The disciples' practical concern for the crowd's hunger and the late hour is their immediate focus, revealing a natural, human tendency to rely on logistical solutions. However, their statement that…
