Luke 9:13

KJV

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Give {G1325} ye {G5210} them {G846} to eat {G5315}. And {G1161} they said {G2036}, We {G2254} have no {G3756}{G1526} more {G4119} but {G2228} five {G4002} loaves {G740} and {G2532} two {G1417} fishes {G2486}; except {G1509} we {G2249} should go {G4198} and buy {G59} meat {G1033} for {G1519} all {G3956} this {G5126} people {G2992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he said to them, “Give them something to eat, yourselves!” They said, “We have no more than five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we ourselves are supposed to go and buy food for all these people!”

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”

American Standard Version

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:13 captures a pivotal moment preceding the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus issues a profound command to His disciples: "Give ye them to eat." This directive immediately exposes the vast chasm between the disciples' limited human resources—a mere five loaves and two fishes—and the immense need of the multitude, prompting their pragmatic suggestion to purchase food for the vast crowd. The verse thus sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of divine provision, highlighting both the disciples' initial bewilderment and the boundless capacity of Christ to meet overwhelming needs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 9:13 is situated within a significant narrative block (Luke 9:10-17) detailing the feeding of the five thousand. Immediately prior, Jesus has returned from sending out the twelve disciples on a mission (Luke 9:1-6), and upon their return, He withdraws with them to a secluded place near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). However, the crowds follow Him, and Jesus, moved by compassion, receives them, teaching about the kingdom of God and healing the sick (Luke 9:11). As evening approaches, the disciples, recognizing the logistical challenge of feeding such a large multitude in a desolate place, suggest sending the people away to find food in the surrounding villages and countryside (Luke 9:12). Jesus's command in verse 13 is a direct, unexpected counter-proposal to their practical, yet faithless, solution, initiating the miraculous event that follows.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is likely a remote, unpopulated area near Bethsaida, a city on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Large crowds following a popular teacher like Jesus were common, often traveling significant distances and thus requiring sustenance. In ancient Galilee, food was typically simple and self-provided, or purchased in villages. The disciples' suggestion to send the crowd away reflects the practical realities of the time: there were no large-scale catering services, and feeding thousands in a wilderness setting was an impossible task by human means. Their mention of "five loaves and two fishes" points to the common staple diet of the poor in that region—barley loaves and small, dried fish. The sheer number of people, estimated at five thousand men, not counting women and children (Luke 9:14), underscores the immense scale of the problem from a human perspective, making the disciples' proposed solution of buying "meat" (food) for everyone seem the only logical, albeit financially impossible, option.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine provision and human inadequacy**. The disciples' meager resources stand in stark contrast to the overwhelming need, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His supernatural power to provide (compare with the manna in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness") or Elisha feeding one hundred men with twenty loaves in [2 Kings 4:42-44](/2_kings/4-42-44 "2 Kings 4:42-44 - Elisha Feeds One Hundred")). Secondly, it underscores **Jesus's compassion for the physical needs of humanity**, as He does not dismiss the hunger of the crowd but actively seeks to meet it. This compassion is a hallmark of Luke's portrayal of Jesus, often showing Him ministering to the marginalized and needy. Finally, the interaction foreshadows the theme of **faith and obedience**, as the disciples are called to act on Jesus's seemingly impossible command, even with their limited resources, demonstrating that God often works through human insufficiency when it is offered in faith (as seen in the broader miracle account in [Luke 9:14-17](/luke/9-14-17 "Luke 9:14-17 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give (Greek, _dídōmi_):** From G1325, this verb means "to give" in a very wide application, encompassing bestowing, committing, delivering, granting, and offering. In this context, it is an imperative command, placing a direct responsibility upon the disciples. It is not merely a suggestion but a divine directive, challenging their perception of their capabilities and resources. Jesus is not asking if they *can* give, but commanding them *to* give, implying His power will enable their obedience.
* **Meat (Greek, _brōma_):** From G1033, this term refers to "food" in general, literally or figuratively. While the KJV translates it as "meat," it more broadly means "victuals" or "provisions." The disciples' suggestion to "buy meat for all this people" reveals their conventional, human-centric solution to the problem—to acquire food through normal commercial means, a task far beyond their financial capacity for such a crowd.
* **Loaves (Greek, _ártos_):** From G740, this word specifically means "bread" or "a loaf." In the context of the disciples' meager supply of "five loaves," it highlights the stark reality of their limited provisions. These were likely small, flat barley loaves, common among the poor, emphasizing the extreme inadequacy of their resources in comparison to the thousands present.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat."**: This is Jesus's direct, authoritative command. The "but" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a contrast to the disciples' previous suggestion to send the crowds away. Jesus shifts the responsibility from Himself to the disciples, challenging their perception of what is possible and calling them to participate in His divine provision. It is an imperative that demands action despite apparent impossibility.
* **"And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes;"**: The disciples' response is one of pragmatic realism, bordering on exasperation. They state their total inventory, emphasizing its extreme scarcity with the phrase "no more but" (G3756 _ou_ G1526 _eisí_ G4119 _pleíōn_ G2228 _ḗ_). This highlights their human limitation and the perceived futility of the command given their meager resources. Their focus is on what they *lack* rather than what Jesus *can do*.
* **"except we should go and buy meat for all this people."**: This clause presents the disciples' logical, yet impossible, alternative. They understand the need for food ("meat" / _brōma_) for "all this people" (G3956 _pâs_ G5126 _toûton_ G2992 _laós_) and propose the only human solution: to purchase it. The phrase "except we should go and buy" (G1509 _ei mḗ ti_ G4198 _poreúomai_ G59 _agorázō_) underscores their recognition that their current resources are utterly insufficient, and any solution would require a vast expenditure, which they clearly do not possess.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is prominent, juxtaposing Jesus's seemingly impossible command with the disciples' stark reality of scarcity. This sets up the dramatic tension that will be resolved by the miracle. **Irony** is also present: Jesus tells those with virtually nothing to feed thousands, highlighting the divine reversal of human logic. The **Dialogue** format effectively reveals the differing perspectives: Jesus's divine authority and compassion versus the disciples' human practicality and limited vision. The disciples' response also uses **Understatement** (or perhaps **Litotes**), as "no more but five loaves and two fishes" is an extreme understatement of the resources needed for 5,000+ people, emphasizing their utter inadequacy. This dramatic setup serves to magnify the power of the subsequent miracle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:13 is a profound theological statement on God's nature as provider and humanity's call to participate in His work, even from a place of perceived insufficiency. It challenges the common human tendency to rely solely on visible resources and highlights the divine economy, where God often uses the "little" that is surrendered in faith to accomplish "much." The disciples' initial focus on scarcity ("no more but five loaves and two fishes") mirrors humanity's frequent inability to grasp God's boundless capacity. Jesus's command, "Give ye them to eat," is an invitation to trust in His power to multiply, not just to manage existing resources. This event prefigures the spiritual sustenance Jesus offers, demonstrating that He is the ultimate source of life and provision, capable of satisfying the deepest hunger of humanity.

* [Matthew 14:15-18](/matthew/14-15-18 "Matthew's Account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand")
* [Mark 6:35-38](/mark/6-35-38 "Mark's Account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand")
* [John 6:5-9](/john/6-5-9 "John's Account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:13 serves as a timeless challenge to our faith and a powerful reminder of God's boundless capacity to work through our perceived limitations. In our own lives, we often face "multitudes" of needs—whether in our communities, families, or personal struggles—that seem overwhelming, and our "five loaves and two fishes" (our limited time, talent, finances, or energy) feel utterly inadequate. Like the disciples, our first instinct might be to retreat, to send the problem away, or to seek conventional, human-centric solutions that are beyond our means. However, Jesus's command to "Give ye them to eat" calls us to a different response. It invites us to bring our insufficiency, our meager offerings, and our perceived lack to Him. It teaches us that true provision comes not from the abundance of our own resources, but from the power of Christ multiplying what we faithfully surrender. This verse encourages us to step out in obedience, trusting that when we offer what little we have to God, He can transform it into something miraculous, far exceeding our expectations and demonstrating His glory. It is a call to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of divine abundance, recognizing that with Christ, all things are possible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "multitudes" or overwhelming needs are you currently facing that seem to exceed your resources?**
* **What are your "five loaves and two fishes"—the limited resources or abilities—that you are tempted to see as insufficient?**
* **How might Jesus be challenging you to "give them to eat" in a situation where you feel completely inadequate?**
* **What practical steps can you take to surrender your perceived insufficiency to Christ and trust in His power to multiply?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell the disciples to feed the crowd when He knew they had so little?**

Answer: Jesus's command to "Give ye them to eat" (G1325 _dídōmi_ G5315 _phágō_) served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it was a test of the disciples' faith and understanding. They had just returned from a mission where they had witnessed Jesus's power (Luke 9:1-6), and this situation presented an immediate opportunity for them to apply their lessons and trust in His supernatural ability. Secondly, it revealed their human limitations and pragmatic, yet ultimately insufficient, solutions. Their response, highlighting their meager resources and the impossibility of buying enough food, underscored the vast chasm between human capacity and divine power. By placing the responsibility on them, Jesus prepared them to witness and participate in a profound miracle, teaching them that His power could work through their insufficiency. It was a pedagogical moment, designed to deepen their reliance on Him and to demonstrate that true provision comes from God, not from human ingenuity or resources. This event was a foundational lesson in divine economics and the nature of faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:13, though seemingly a simple command and a statement of human limitation, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate Provider and the "Bread of Life." Jesus's directive, "Give ye them to eat," is not merely a logistical instruction but a foreshadowing of His own self-giving. He is not just commanding His disciples to feed the hungry; He is demonstrating His divine nature as the one who can satisfy the deepest human needs, both physical and spiritual. This miracle, where a meager offering is multiplied to feed thousands, prefigures the greater spiritual sustenance Jesus offers through His body and blood, given for the life of the world (as articulated in [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")). Just as the physical loaves were broken and distributed, Jesus's own body would be broken on the cross, providing spiritual nourishment for all who believe (see [1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). The disciples' inability to provide highlights humanity's spiritual bankruptcy, while Jesus's miraculous provision points to His all-sufficiency. He is the one who truly takes away the hunger of the soul, inviting all to come and eat of Him, the true bread from heaven (compare [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Thus, this passage is a powerful testament to Jesus's compassion, His divine power, and His ultimate fulfillment as the one who provides eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 11:24

¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty.

Proverbs 11:25

¶ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

John 6:5

When Jesus then lifted up [his] eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

John 6:9

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

2 Kings 4:42

And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

2 Kings 4:43

And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave [thereof].

Mark 6:37

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?