Luke 9:16

Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

Then {G1161} he took {G2983} the five {G4002} loaves {G740} and {G2532} the two {G1417} fishes {G2486}, and looking up {G308} to {G1519} heaven {G3772}, he blessed {G2127} them {G846}, and {G2532} brake {G2622}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} to the disciples {G3101} to set before {G3908} the multitude {G3793}.

Then he took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, made a b’rakhah, broke the loaves and began giving them to the talmidim to distribute to the crowd.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people.

And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

Commentary

Context of Luke 9:16

Luke 9:16 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand, a miraculous event demonstrating Jesus' immense power and compassion. Prior to this verse, Jesus had instructed His disciples to feed the vast multitude, despite their only having five loaves and two fish (Luke 9:13). This setting, likely in a remote area near Bethsaida, highlights the disciples' human limitations and the overwhelming need of the crowd, setting the stage for divine intervention.

Key Themes in Luke 9:16

  • Divine Provision and Miraculous Power: This verse beautifully illustrates Jesus' ability to provide supernaturally for a great need. What began as meager resources—five barley loaves and two small fish—becomes the source of sustenance for thousands. This miracle is a powerful demonstration of God's capacity to multiply and provide beyond human imagination.
  • Thanksgiving and Blessing: Jesus' act of "looking up to heaven, he blessed them" is central. It emphasizes His reliance on and communion with His Father, acknowledging that all provision comes from God. This act of blessing transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, setting a pattern for giving thanks.
  • The Role of Discipleship: Jesus involves His disciples directly in the miracle. They receive the blessed and broken food from Him and then distribute it to the multitude. This highlights their role as conduits of God's blessings, not originators, underscoring the principle of serving others through Christ's power.
  • Abundance from Scarcity: The narrative powerfully conveys that even the smallest offering, when surrendered to Jesus, can be used by Him to meet immense needs, resulting in an abundance that far exceeds the initial supply.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he blessed them" comes from the Greek word eulogēsen (εὐλόγησεν). This term signifies more than a casual prayer; it means to speak well of, to praise, or to invoke divine favor upon something. In this context, it's a prayer of thanksgiving and consecration, setting the food apart for God's use and inviting His power to act through it. The act of "brake" (eklasen, ἔκλασεν) is a simple description of breaking bread, but in this miraculous context, it signifies the beginning of the multiplication.

Related Scriptures

This significant miracle is recorded in all four Gospels, indicating its importance in the early Christian tradition. You can compare Luke's account with those found in Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, and John 6:11. Furthermore, Jesus' actions of taking bread, looking to heaven, blessing, and breaking it are profoundly significant, foreshadowing the institution of the Lord's Supper, where similar actions are performed to symbolize His body broken for us. This act also resonates with the broader theme of God's abundant provision for His people, as seen in passages like Philippians 4:19.

Practical Application of Luke 9:16

Luke 9:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it encourages us to bring our seemingly insufficient resources—our talents, time, or material possessions—to Jesus. He can take our small offerings, bless them, and use them to accomplish far more than we could imagine. Secondly, it reminds us of the power of thanksgiving and prayer. Before engaging in any significant endeavor, or even before a simple meal, pausing to acknowledge God's sovereignty and to bless what we have can invite His miraculous touch. Finally, it highlights our call to be channels of God's blessing to others, just as the disciples were. We are to receive from Christ and then generously share with the world around us.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:19

    And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

  • 1 Timothy 4:5

    For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

  • Luke 24:30

    And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them.

  • Matthew 15:36

    And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake [them], and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

  • Acts 27:35

    And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken [it], he began to eat.

  • John 6:11

    And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
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