Matthew 14:15

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

And {G1161} when it was {G1096} evening {G3798}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} to him {G846}, saying {G3004}, This is {G2076} a desert {G2048} place {G5117}, and {G2532} the time {G5610} is now {G2235} past {G3928}; send {G630} the multitude {G3793} away {G630}, that {G2443} they may go {G565} into {G1519} the villages {G2968}, and buy {G59} themselves {G1438} victuals {G1033}.

As evening approached, the talmidim came to him and said, "This is a remote place and it's getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go and buy food for themselves in the villages."

When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.

Commentary on Matthew 14:15 (KJV)

Matthew 14:15 introduces a pivotal moment leading up to one of Jesus' most famous miracles: the feeding of the five thousand. This verse captures the disciples' practical, yet limited, assessment of a challenging situation and their suggestion for handling it.

Context

This verse occurs shortly after Jesus receives the news of John the Baptist's execution (Matthew 14:12). Seeking solitude, Jesus withdrew by boat to a "desert place" (an uninhabited, desolate area), likely on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. However, vast crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. Jesus, moved with compassion, healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples recognized the logistical problem: a large multitude in a remote location with no immediate source of food. Their suggestion to send the people away was a logical, human solution to an overwhelming problem.

Key Themes

  • Human Limitation vs. Divine Provision: The disciples' statement highlights the natural constraints of the situation – "This is a desert place, and the time is now past." They saw an insurmountable problem, prompting them to suggest a pragmatic but faithless solution. This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His divine power to provide beyond human capability, as seen in His subsequent command to "Give ye them to eat".
  • Disciples' Practical Mindset: The disciples, though close to Jesus, often thought from a worldly perspective. Their concern for the crowd's physical needs was genuine, but their proposed solution lacked foresight into Jesus' miraculous potential. This contrasts with Jesus' teaching on not worrying about what to eat or drink.
  • Compassion and Responsibility: While the disciples wished to send the people away, Jesus' heart was one of deep compassion. He felt a responsibility for the well-being of the multitude, leading Him to address their hunger in an extraordinary way.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "desert place" translates the Greek erēmos topos (ἔρημος τόπος), which refers to an uninhabited, desolate, or wilderness area, not necessarily a sandy desert. It emphasizes the remoteness and lack of resources.
  • "The time is now past" (Greek: hōra ēdē parēlthen - ὥρα ἤδη παρῆλθεν) signifies that the day was far spent, likely evening, making it difficult for people to travel to villages to find food and lodging before nightfall.
  • "Victuals" (Greek: brōmata - βρώματα) simply means "food" or "provisions."

Related Scriptures

This event is one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels, testifying to its significance. Parallel accounts of the disciples' request can be found in Mark 6:35, Luke 9:12, and John 6:5, where Jesus specifically tests Philip on the matter of feeding the crowd. The miraculous outcome is detailed in Matthew 14:20, highlighting the abundance of God's provision.

Practical Application

Matthew 14:15 serves as a powerful reminder that when we face overwhelming challenges or "desert places" in our lives, our initial human response might be to find a logical escape or to send the problem away. However, this verse encourages us to bring our limitations and the needs of others to Jesus. He often works in ways that defy human logic, turning our perceived impossibilities into opportunities for divine provision and miraculous solutions. It teaches us to look beyond our practical solutions and trust in Christ's infinite ability to meet needs.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 15:23

    But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

  • Mark 8:3

    And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

  • Mark 6:35

    And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time [is] far passed:

  • Mark 6:36

    Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

  • Luke 9:12

    And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

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