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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} they were {G2258} about {G5616} five thousand {G4000} men {G435}. And {G1161} he said {G2036} to {G4314} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, Make {G2625} them {G846} sit down {G2625} by {G303} fifties {G4004} in a company {G2828}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(For there were about five thousand men.) He said to his talmidim, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

Berean Standard Bible

(There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

American Standard Version

For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:14 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand, highlighting the immense scale of the crowd Jesus was ministering to and His meticulous approach to order, even in a seemingly chaotic situation. It sets the stage for a profound demonstration of divine power and provision, underscoring both human need and God's abundant grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the disciples' confession of their meager resources—only five loaves and two fish—in response to Jesus' challenge to feed the multitude ([Luke 9:13](/luke/9-13 "Luke 9:13 - The Disciples' Meager Resources")). Jesus' command to organize the crowd into groups of fifty directly precedes the miraculous multiplication of food, serving as a crucial preparatory step. This event is a central miracle in Jesus' public ministry, appearing in all four Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand"), [Mark 6:30-44](/mark/6-30-44 "Mark 6:30-44 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand"), and [John 6:1-15](/john/6-1-15 "John 6:1-15 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")), underscoring its profound theological and historical significance. It also stands in contrast to the disciples' previous failures to understand Jesus' power, such as their desire to call fire down on a Samaritan village ([Luke 9:54](/luke/9-54 "Luke 9:54 - Disciples' Zeal and Jesus' Rebuke")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this miracle is described as a desolate place, likely near Bethsaida, where large crowds would gather to hear Jesus teach and witness His healing power. In ancient Jewish culture, large public gatherings, especially for meals, often involved a structured, communal arrangement, though the sheer scale here was unprecedented. The mention of "about five thousand men" (G435 `anḗr`) is significant, as ancient records often counted only adult males in such gatherings, implying the total number, including women and children, could have been upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 people. This vast multitude, far from any provisions, would have been deeply hungry, physically and spiritually, echoing the wilderness experiences of Israel and their reliance on divine provision, such as the manna from heaven ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")).
* **Key Themes:** Luke 9:14 contributes to several major themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision**, demonstrating Jesus' ability to meet overwhelming human need beyond human capacity, a theme central to the kingdom of God's abundance. The command to "Make them sit down by fifties in a company" highlights **Divine Order and Preparation**, revealing God's character as a God who brings order out of chaos and works through structured processes, even in miraculous interventions ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order, Not Confusion")). Furthermore, the disciples' involvement in organizing the crowd underscores the theme of **Disciples' Participation and Training**, as Jesus empowers them with practical tasks, preparing them for future ministry where they would be responsible for feeding and leading spiritual multitudes, echoing Jesus' commission to them in [Luke 9:1-6](/luke/9-1-6 "Luke 9:1-6 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve"). This also speaks to **Compassion and Leadership**, as Jesus, seeing the multitude, moved with compassion and took charge of the situation, delegating tasks effectively.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **men (Greek, _anḗr'_):** (G435) This term specifically refers to an individual male, as opposed to the more general term for people (anthrōpoi). Its use here emphasizes the massive scale of the crowd, indicating that the five thousand were adult males, with women and children likely present in addition, making the total number significantly higher. This detail underscores the immense challenge of feeding such a multitude and magnifies the miracle.
* **sit down (Greek, _kataklínō'_):** (G2625) Derived from "to recline down," this word specifically refers to taking a place at a table or for a meal, rather than merely sitting. This detail suggests a communal, orderly arrangement for dining, akin to a banquet, which further highlights Jesus' intention for an organized, dignified meal, not a chaotic scramble for food.
* **company (Greek, _klisía'_):** (G2828) This noun, derived from the same root as `kataklínō`, means "reclination" and, concretely, refers to a "party at a meal" or a "group" arranged for dining. It reinforces the idea of structured groups, emphasizing the orderly nature of the gathering and the communal aspect of the miraculous meal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they were about five thousand men."**: This clause establishes the overwhelming scale of the human need. The number "five thousand men" (G4000 `pentakischílioi` and G435 `anḗr`) is a staggering figure for a single gathering in a desolate place, setting the stage for a miracle that would defy human logistics and resources. It highlights the disciples' predicament and the magnitude of Jesus' task.
* **"And he said to his disciples,"**: This phrase emphasizes Jesus' active leadership and His direct instruction to His disciples. It positions the disciples as key participants in the process, not merely observers, and underscores their role in carrying out Jesus' commands, even when the ultimate solution is beyond their comprehension.
* **"Make them sit down by fifties in a company."**: This command reveals Jesus' divine wisdom and commitment to order. The instruction to arrange the crowd "by fifties" (G303 `aná` G4004 `pentḗkonta`) in structured "companies" (G2828 `klisía`) served multiple practical purposes: it allowed for efficient distribution of food, ensured everyone could be seen and served, prevented chaos, and facilitated an accurate count of those fed, thereby providing undeniable evidence of the miracle. This meticulous organization also foreshadows the order and community found within the kingdom of God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:14 employs several literary techniques. The sheer number of "five thousand men" functions as **Hyperbole** to emphasize the immense scale of the crowd and the overwhelming challenge, making the subsequent miracle all the more astounding. The command to organize the crowd into "companies" by "fifties" introduces **Symbolism** of order and community, foreshadowing the structured nature of the early Christian church and the communal meals that would become central to its worship. This meticulous organization also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the Last Supper and the subsequent practice of the Eucharist, where believers gather in an ordered fashion to partake in a communal meal of divine provision. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in Jesus' command for organization when the disciples are focused on the lack of resources; Jesus addresses the logistics of distribution before the means of provision are evident, highlighting His sovereign control over seemingly impossible situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:14, within the broader narrative of the feeding of the five thousand, profoundly illustrates God's character as the ultimate Provider who brings order out of chaos and meets human need with divine abundance. This event is not merely a demonstration of power but a theological statement about God's compassionate care for His people, reminiscent of His provision of manna in the wilderness. It underscores the principle that God often works through human cooperation and order, even when the miraculous is at hand. The structured seating arrangement also speaks to the importance of community and fellowship in God's kingdom, where all are invited to partake in His blessings in an orderly and inclusive manner. This miracle serves as a tangible sign of the kingdom's present reality, where God's resources are limitless and His desire is to satisfy the hungry.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Psalm 23:5](/psalms/23-5 "The Lord Prepares a Table")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "God of Order, Not Confusion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:14 offers profound lessons for believers today, inviting us to trust in God's boundless provision even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges and limited resources. Just as the disciples were called to act in obedience despite their lack, we are reminded that our role is often to prepare and organize, trusting that God will provide the miraculous. This verse challenges us to embrace order and intentionality in our lives and ministries, recognizing that God is a God of peace, not confusion, and that strategic planning, guided by His wisdom, can facilitate greater effectiveness and blessing. It encourages us to participate actively in God's work, even in seemingly small or mundane tasks, understanding that our obedience in practical matters can be a crucial step in His larger, miraculous plans. Ultimately, it calls us to prepare our hearts and lives to receive God's blessings and to be used by Him to minister to the vast needs of the world, both physical and spiritual.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' command for order in a chaotic situation challenge my own approach to overwhelming problems or needs?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry do I need to trust God's provision more, even when my resources seem insufficient?**
* **What "small tasks" of obedience might God be calling me to undertake that could be part of His larger, miraculous plan?**
* **How can I better prepare myself and my community to receive and participate in God's blessings?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command the crowd to sit down in groups of fifty?**

Answer: Jesus' command to arrange the crowd "by fifties in a company" (G4004 `pentḗkonta` and G2828 `klisía`) served multiple crucial purposes. First, it brought **order** to a potentially chaotic situation involving thousands of people, making it manageable for the disciples to serve them. Second, it allowed for **efficient distribution** of the food, ensuring that everyone received a portion. Third, it facilitated an **accurate count** of those fed, providing undeniable evidence of the miracle's magnitude. Finally, this structured arrangement might have also carried **symbolic significance**, reminiscent of the organized encampments of Israel in the wilderness or military formations, underscoring Jesus' leadership and the divine order of His kingdom. It also allowed everyone to witness the miracle clearly, fostering faith.

**Why does Luke specifically mention "five thousand men" and not include women and children in the count?**

Answer: The specification of "five thousand men" (G435 `anḗr`) reflects a common ancient practice in public gatherings, particularly in Jewish culture, where only adult males were typically counted for official purposes, such as censuses or military assessments. While women and children were undoubtedly present, their numbers were often not included in such tallies. This detail, far from diminishing the miracle, actually **magnifies its scale**, implying that the total number of people fed was significantly higher—perhaps 15,000 to 20,000 individuals—making Jesus' act of provision even more astounding. It highlights the immense human need that Jesus compassionately addressed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The feeding of the five thousand, with Luke 9:14 as its preparatory command, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the true and eternal "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Just as He miraculously provided physical sustenance for a hungry multitude, He offers spiritual sustenance that satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul. This event foreshadows the ultimate banquet of the Kingdom of God, where Christ will gather His people and provide abundantly for them, a theme powerfully echoed in the imagery of the marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Furthermore, Jesus' command for orderly seating prefigures the institution of the Lord's Supper, or Eucharist, where believers gather in an ordered community to partake in the symbolic body and blood of Christ, remembering His ultimate sacrifice and receiving spiritual nourishment ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "Institution of the Lord's Supper")). In this miracle, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority, His boundless compassion for humanity's physical and spiritual needs, and His role as the sovereign Head of His church, who provides for His people and establishes order within His kingdom, inviting all to come and be satisfied at His table ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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

1 Corinthians 14:40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Mark 8:6

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before [them]; and they did set [them] before the people.

Mark 6:39

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

Mark 6:40

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.