Luke 9:15 kjv

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Luke 9:15 nkjv

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Luke 9:15 niv

The disciples did so, and everyone sat down.

Luke 9:15 esv

And they did so, and had them all sit down.

Luke 9:15 nlt

So the people all sat down.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 15 Meaning

Luke 9:15 describes the immediate and precise obedience of Jesus' disciples to His instruction concerning the vast crowd. They actively and efficiently organized the multitude, ensuring every person was properly seated in designated groups, preparing them to receive the miraculous provision from Christ. This act of structured arrangement was a crucial precursor to the feeding of the five thousand, highlighting the importance of obedience and order in divine operations.

Luke 9 15 Context

Luke 9:15 is situated within the narrative of Jesus feeding the five thousand, a pivotal miracle recounted in all four Gospels (Mt 14, Mk 6, Lk 9, Jn 6). The verses immediately preceding it (Lk 9:12-14) describe the disciples' initial struggle to feed the vast multitude, their suggestion to send the crowds away, and Jesus' challenging command: "You give them something to eat." Specifically, Lk 9:14 instructs them to "make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." Therefore, Luke 9:15 serves as the direct response to this command.

The miracle takes place in a desolate place near Bethsaida (Lk 9:10). The day is drawing to a close (Lk 9:12), highlighting the immediate need for provision. This structured organization of the crowd, despite its immense size, demonstrates the practical and authoritative leadership of Jesus, which the disciples, though perhaps perplexed, willingly obeyed. This careful preparation of the crowd signifies that divine order often precedes divine provision and highlights the necessity of human obedience and participation even in God's miraculous works. It contrasts with chaotic, disorganized assemblies, emphasizing God's nature as a God of order.

Luke 9 15 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction that smoothly links the disciples' action directly to Jesus' previous command in verse 14. It implies an immediate and responsive continuation of the narrative.
• they did (ἐποίησαν - epoiēsan): This is the aorist active indicative of the verb ποιέω (poieō), meaning "to do, to make, to produce, to perform." The aorist tense indicates a completed, specific action that occurred swiftly and effectively. It conveys their ready execution of the command.
• so (οὕτως - houtōs): An adverb meaning "thus," "in this way," or "accordingly." It underscores the precision of their obedience; they did exactly as they were told, following the specific instruction to arrange the people in groups. This isn't just a general compliance but an accurate adherence to the detailed command.
• and (καὶ - kai): Another linking conjunction, introducing the subsequent action which elaborates on what they did.
• made them (κατέκλιναν - kateklinan): This is the aorist active indicative of κατακλίνω (kataklino), which means "to cause to lie down" or "to recline." This term is often used in the context of taking one's place at a meal, indicating a formal posture for eating. The active voice shows the disciples' direct involvement and effort in ensuring the multitude was properly seated, rather than passively observing. They facilitated the seating.
• all (ἅπαντας - hapantas): This adjective, in the accusative masculine plural, means "all," "every single one," or "the whole multitude." Its inclusion emphasizes the completeness of their action. No one was left standing or unorganized, signifying a thorough and comprehensive preparation. This highlights the all-encompassing nature of God's provision for His people.
• sit down (implicit in κατέκλιναν): While "κατέκλιναν" literally means "to cause to recline," "sit down" is the appropriate translation for the context of preparing for a meal in that culture, where reclining on mats or cushions was customary. It signifies a state of readiness and rest before consumption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And they did so: This phrase highlights the disciples' unhesitating and complete obedience to Jesus' specific directive from the preceding verse (Lk 9:14). Their action demonstrates immediate faith and trust, acting as intermediaries to fulfill Jesus' command for an orderly assembly. It represents the crucial step of human cooperation in God's divine work.
• and made them all sit down: This part details the result of their obedience: a massive crowd was methodically organized and seated. The emphasis on "made them" indicates active involvement, guiding the people, while "all" underlines the thoroughness – not a single person was excluded or missed. This ordered arrangement, likely in fifty-person groups as commanded in Lk 9:14, created a structure conducive to the distribution of food and ensured that all could be counted and fed efficiently. It speaks to the importance of divine order in receiving divine blessing.

Luke 9 15 Bonus section

• The organized seating may have also served a pedagogical purpose for the disciples themselves, showing them the orderly power of Christ even amidst human limitations and vast numbers. It prepared them, mentally and physically, for the miracle that followed.
• The detail of "groups of fifty" (from Lk 9:14) not only aided distribution but also allowed for accurate counting, affirming the supernatural nature of the abundant leftovers later collected. Without such order, an accurate count would have been impossible.
• This act of humble service and cooperation from the disciples contrasts with prideful resistance. Their willingness to manage the crowd despite their initial disbelief became an instrumental part of the divine solution, reminding us that God uses available resources and willing hearts, regardless of their perceived inadequacy.
• The preparation underscores that while God performs miracles, He often does so within a framework of order and human agency. The disciples weren't passive observers; they were active participants, carrying out practical duties commanded by Jesus.

Luke 9 15 Commentary

Luke 9:15 is a brief yet profound verse that serves as a pivotal bridge in the miracle of feeding the five thousand. It showcases the practical application of obedience to divine command. The disciples, despite their initial skepticism regarding providing for such a multitude (Lk 9:12-13), now demonstrate immediate and comprehensive compliance with Jesus' specific instructions. Their action, "they did so, and made them all sit down," moves from contemplation to cooperation.

This act of organizing the vast crowd into orderly groups was more than mere logistics; it was an act of faith. It set the stage for the miracle, demonstrating that God works through order and often requires human participation, even in what seems mundane or preparatory. The deliberate seating of "all" ensures not only efficient distribution but also a clear accounting of the recipients, solidifying the magnitude of the miracle (five thousand men, besides women and children).

Spiritually, this obedience reflects a key aspect of discipleship: responding actively to Christ's word without questioning the 'how.' The very act of preparing the crowd creates a readiness in the people to receive what Christ will provide, both physically and spiritually. The organized seating also prefigures the community and order within the early church, where fellowship and shared spiritual nourishment occurred within a structured gathering (e.g., Acts 2:42). It teaches us that obedience to Christ's specific instructions, no matter how illogical they might seem at first, often paves the way for His abundant blessings and demonstrates His preference for decency and order in all things.