Luke 9:12 kjv

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.

Luke 9:12 nkjv

When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."

Luke 9:12 niv

Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."

Luke 9:12 esv

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."

Luke 9:12 nlt

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, "Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place."

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 12 Meaning

Luke 9:12 depicts the critical juncture before the feeding of the five thousand. As the day was ending and Jesus' large audience remained in a desolate area, His twelve disciples approached Him with a practical, yet limited, solution. They urged Him to dismiss the crowds, suggesting they go to nearby towns and the countryside to find shelter for the night and purchase food. Their concern was valid based on their human perception of scarcity and logistical challenges in a barren location, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His divine power of provision in an unexpected way.

Luke 9 12 Context

Luke 9:12 is a pivotal moment following Jesus' extended ministry tour, which included commissioning and sending out the twelve apostles (Lk 9:1-6), the controversy surrounding Herod's understanding of Jesus' identity (Lk 9:7-9), and the return of the apostles to Jesus after their mission (Lk 9:10). The setting is in a "deserted place" (likely near Bethsaida, according to Lk 9:10) where large multitudes continued to follow Jesus, seeking healing and hearing about the Kingdom of God (Lk 9:11). This verse establishes the practical problem of feeding a vast crowd in a barren region, directly preceding the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples' proposed solution reflects common human logistics and limitations, creating a stark contrast with Jesus' impending divine intervention, which serves as a powerful illustration of His Messianic power and role as the ultimate Provider. This event would profoundly shape the disciples' understanding of Jesus' authority over material needs, mirroring God's provision for Israel in the wilderness.

Luke 9 12 Word analysis

• And when the day began to wear away:
  • And (kai, Greek: καὶ): A connective, linking this event immediately to the preceding ministry.
  • when the day began to wear away (mellō klinein, Greek: μέλλει κλίνειν): Literally "is about to recline" or "is about to decline." This phrase indicates that the day was nearing its end, close to sunset, signifying the time when travel becomes difficult and hunger becomes pronounced. It creates a sense of urgency and looming logistical problems for the large crowd.
• the twelve came and said to Him:
  • the twelve (hoi dōdeka, Greek: οἱ δώδεκα): Refers to Jesus' twelve chosen apostles, highlighting their leadership role among the disciples and their collective decision-making in approaching Jesus with this practical concern. Their specific number signifies their unique authority and training under Jesus.
  • came (proselthontes, Greek: προσελθόντες): Indicates they drew near to Jesus, suggesting intentionality in bringing their request to Him.
• "Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."
  • Send away (apolyson, Greek: ἀπόλυσον): An imperative verb, "dismiss" or "let go." This is the disciples' proposed, human-centric solution based on conventional means and their own limitations.
  • the multitudes (tous ochlous, Greek: τοὺς ὄχλους): Refers to the large crowds or masses of people. The Greek word ochlous conveys the idea of a significant, unorganized gathering, emphasizing the sheer number of hungry people.
  • that they may go (poreuthentes, Greek: πορευθέντες): Indicates a purposeful movement or departure.
  • into the surrounding villages (tas kyklō kōmas, Greek: τὰς κύκλῳ κώμας): Points to nearby populated areas, implying places where services and food could be found.
  • and countryside (kai tous agrous, Greek: καὶ τοὺς ἀγρούς): Refers to the fields or rural areas surrounding the villages, offering further options for shelter or foraging.
  • to lodge (katalysōsin, Greek: καταλύσωσιν): Means "to loosen down," often used for unharnessing an animal to stop for rest, or simply to find shelter or stay for the night. This highlights the basic need for accommodation.
  • and get provisions (kai heurōsin brōmata, Greek: καὶ εὕρωσιν βρώματα): Literally "and find foods." This explicitly states the second critical need – something to eat. Brōmata emphasizes prepared or edible items, not just raw materials.
  • for we are in a deserted place here (hōti hōde esmen en erēmō topō, Greek: ὅτι ὧδε ἐσμεν ἐν ἐρήμῳ τόπῳ):
    • deserted place (erēmō topō, Greek: ἐρήμῳ τόπῳ): A "wilderness place," uninhabited or desolate region. This emphasizes the lack of local resources, providing the disciples' logical justification for their proposal. Biblically, erēmos places are often sites of divine encounter, testing, and miraculous provision, echoing Israel's wilderness journey with God providing manna. This term foreshadows Jesus' miraculous act.
    • here (hōde, Greek: ὧδε): A demonstrative adverb, emphasizing the immediate location.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When the day began to wear away... and said to Him": This establishes the time of crisis (late hour), the key actors (the disciples and Jesus), and the nature of the interaction (disciples initiating a request to Jesus). It immediately sets a practical challenge.
• "Send the multitudes away... to lodge and get provisions": This phrase encapsulates the disciples' pragmatic, human-limited perspective. They correctly identify the crowds' fundamental needs (shelter and food) but propose a solution that relies on the crowds' self-sufficiency in nearby towns rather than an direct intervention by Jesus or His followers. It represents a "push" strategy—to send the problem elsewhere.
• "For we are in a deserted place here": This statement serves as the disciples' logical premise and justification for their proposed action. It highlights the perceived lack of resources and impossibility of direct provision, acting as a backdrop against which Jesus' subsequent miracle will vividly stand out, showcasing the stark contrast between human limitation and divine omnipotence.

Luke 9 12 Bonus section

The mention of "deserted place" (Greek: erēmos topos) carries significant biblical weight, frequently associated with God's miraculous provision, spiritual testing, and profound encounters (e.g., Israel in the wilderness, John the Baptist's ministry). Here, it accentuates the supernatural nature of the upcoming miracle, contrasting the barrenness of the location with the overflowing abundance provided by Christ. The disciples' desire to "send away" the crowds stands in direct opposition to Jesus' character as one who welcomes, gathers, and provides, illustrating a common human inclination to dismiss problems when solutions are not immediately apparent through conventional means. This verse underscores that apparent impossibility from a human perspective is merely the canvas for divine possibility, foreshadowing the truth that in Christ, we "shall not want" (Ps 23:1).

Luke 9 12 Commentary

Luke 9:12 presents a snapshot of human logic encountering divine power. The disciples, recognizing the immense logistical challenge of feeding thousands in an isolated area as evening approached, offer the most reasonable solution from a purely practical standpoint: disperse the crowd to find sustenance for themselves. Their focus is on the lack of resources ("deserted place") and the need to mitigate a potential crisis. This request is born out of genuine concern for the welfare of the multitudes but reveals a limited understanding of Jesus' capabilities. They are confronted with an impossible human situation, which Jesus immediately transforms into an opportunity to display His glory and provision. This verse sets the critical tension between perceived human scarcity and anticipated divine abundance, acting as a direct preamble to the miraculous feeding event and inviting reflection on where our ultimate trust for provision lies.