Luke 9:14 kjv

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

Luke 9:14 nkjv

For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty."

Luke 9:14 niv

(About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."

Luke 9:14 esv

For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."

Luke 9:14 nlt

For there were about 5,000 men there. Jesus replied, "Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each."

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 14 Meaning

Luke 9:14 concisely establishes the massive scale of the crowd Jesus was about to feed, stating that there were "about five thousand men." This numerical detail is crucial as it immediately sets the context for an extraordinary act of divine provision, highlighting the human impossibility of feeding such a multitude in a desolate place with limited resources, thereby emphasizing the magnitude of the miracle that follows.

Luke 9 14 Context

Luke 9:14 is set in a desolate place near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10), following Jesus' sending out the twelve apostles to preach and heal, and after Herod's perplexity about Jesus' identity. The disciples return to report their ministry to Jesus (Luke 9:10), but their desire for a private time is interrupted by large crowds following Jesus. Luke 9:11 notes that Jesus "welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing." As evening approaches (Luke 9:12), the disciples, observing the massive number of people and their hunger in the wilderness, suggest that Jesus send the crowds away to find food. This is when Jesus challenges them, saying, "You give them something to eat" (Luke 9:13a), leading directly to the statement in Luke 9:14 about the number of men. The verse establishes the practical impossibility of the disciples' task given their limited resources (five loaves and two fish) and the vast number of people present, setting the stage for Jesus' miraculous demonstration of power and provision.

Luke 9 14 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ, gar): This Greek conjunction often serves to provide an explanation or reason for a preceding statement. Here, it explains why the disciples felt the crowd needed to be sent away or why feeding them was a daunting task. It logically connects Jesus' challenge ("You give them something to eat") with the massive scale of the crowd.
• there were (ἦσαν, ēsan): This is the imperfect tense of the Greek verb "to be" (eimi). The imperfect tense suggests a continuing state or condition. It implies that this was the existing reality of the crowd's size, not a sudden influx, and sets a scene of persistent demand on Jesus and the disciples.
• about (ὡσεὶ, hōsei): This term signifies an approximation. It suggests that the number was estimated, not precisely counted down to the last person, which is natural for a large, spontaneous gathering in an open area. This also implies flexibility, making the exact count less critical than the scale of the multitude. It doesn't diminish the miracle but grounds it in a realistic crowd estimate.
• five thousand (πεντακισχίλιοι, pentakischilioi): This specific large number is significant. It's not a round, vague estimate but a precise large figure that demands a truly extraordinary act to satisfy. In a pre-modern setting without large-scale food distribution systems, feeding even a few hundred was a challenge, let alone thousands. The magnitude emphasizes the unparalleled power of Jesus' miracle.
• men (ἄνδρες, andres): This is a crucial distinction. The Greek term andres specifically refers to adult males, not people in general (anthrōpoi). This implies that the total number of people present—including women and children (as noted explicitly in parallel accounts like Matt 14:21 and John 6:10)—was substantially larger, perhaps reaching 15,000 to 20,000 or more. This specification highlights the challenge even further, making the subsequent miracle of feeding exponentially more impressive. It also aligns with ancient customs where men were often counted for military service, census purposes, or leadership roles within a group.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "For there were about five thousand men": This phrase succinctly quantifies the sheer magnitude of the situation, directly responding to the disciples' dilemma. It is a declarative statement setting the immovable boundary of the problem against which Jesus' divine solution will shine. The choice of "men" further compounds the implied larger reality, laying the groundwork for understanding the immensity of Jesus' power.

Luke 9 14 Bonus section

• The detail of counting "men" specifically aligns with the way ancient Jewish society often conducted censuses or estimates, where adult males were the primary unit of count for a population, even if women and children were understood to be present. This lends historical authenticity to the narrative while also subtly increasing the impressiveness of the miracle by underscoring the true total size of the crowd.
• This verse contributes to the "impossible situation" theme common in biblical miracles, where human resources are utterly insufficient, emphasizing that the resolution can only come from divine intervention. It highlights a common lesson: God's power is often best displayed when human capability reaches its limits.
• The miraculous feeding also foreshadows the Eucharist (Communion), where Jesus provides His body and blood, the ultimate spiritual nourishment, for the multitudes. The physical feeding prepares the way for understanding Jesus as the Bread of Life.

Luke 9 14 Commentary

Luke 9:14 is not merely a logistical detail; it's a vital part of the miracle's narrative arc. By specifying "about five thousand men" (with the strong implication of many more women and children), Luke deliberately sets up the dramatic contrast between human limitation and divine omnipotence. The disciples possessed only five loaves and two fish, an utterly insignificant provision for such a crowd. This verse, therefore, frames the miracle not just as an act of kindness, but as a clear demonstration of Jesus' supernatural authority over creation and His identity as the divine provider. It links Him directly to God's miraculous provision in the Old Testament wilderness, specifically the manna, positioning Him as the greater Moses, able to satisfy spiritual and physical hunger on an unprecedented scale. The verse prepares the reader to witness a display of power that points directly to Jesus' divine nature and His Kingdom where true provision is found.