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Matthew 14:19

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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.

And {G2532} he commanded {G2753} the multitude {G3793} to sit down {G347} on {G1909} the grass {G5528}, and {G2532} 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}, and {G2532} brake {G2806}, and gave {G1325} the loaves {G740} to his disciples {G3101}, and {G1161} the disciples {G3101} to the multitude {G3793}.

After instructing the crowds to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, made a b'rakhah. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the talmidim, who gave them to the crowds.

And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

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

Commentary

Matthew 14:19 describes a pivotal moment in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, highlighting Jesus' organized approach, divine dependence, and the disciples' role in distributing God's provision. This verse sets the stage for the miraculous multiplication of a meager offering into a feast for thousands.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' initial encounter with the large crowd who had sought Him out after He heard of John the Baptist's death. Jesus, filled with compassion for the shepherdless multitude (Matthew 14:14), rejected His disciples' suggestion to send the people away to buy food. Instead, He instructed His disciples to feed them, despite their only having five loaves and two fish. The command to "sit down on the grass" indicates an orderly arrangement, essential for managing such a vast crowd in a desolate place.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision: Jesus demonstrates His power to supply abundantly from very little. This miracle underscores God's ability to meet human needs, even in seemingly impossible situations.
  • Order and Leadership: Jesus' command for the multitude to sit down reveals His thoughtful and organized leadership. He brings order to potential chaos, ensuring everyone can be served effectively. This preparation is crucial for the miracle's distribution.
  • Dependence on God: By "looking up to heaven, he blessed," Jesus models complete reliance on His Heavenly Father as the ultimate source of all provision. His prayer is not a mere formality but an act of consecration and invocation of divine power, similar to His actions at the Last Supper.
  • Disciples as Channels: The disciples are not merely spectators but active participants. Jesus gives the blessed and broken bread to them, and they, in turn, distribute it to the multitude. This highlights their role as intermediaries in God's work, a pattern often seen in ministry where God uses human instruments to convey His blessings.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "blessed" is eulogēsen (εὐλόγησεν), which means "to speak well of, to praise, to invoke a blessing upon." In this context, it signifies Jesus' act of consecrating the food and invoking God's divine power for its multiplication. The act of "brake" (eklasen, ἔκλασεν) is a common action associated with sharing bread, particularly significant in Jewish meal customs and later in the Christian practice of communion.

Practical Application

Matthew 14:19 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sufficiency: No matter how limited our resources or how overwhelming our needs, we are called to trust in God's boundless ability to provide.
  • The Power of Thanksgiving: Jesus' act of blessing reminds us of the importance of gratitude and prayer before partaking of God's provisions. A thankful heart opens the way for divine blessing.
  • Our Role in Service: Like the disciples, we are called to be channels of God's blessing to others. God often chooses to work through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, using what we have to meet the needs of many.
  • Order in Ministry: Effective ministry often involves organization and thoughtful planning, ensuring that God's resources are distributed efficiently and equitably to those in need.

This verse beautifully sets up the miraculous provision that follows, emphasizing that with Jesus, even the smallest offerings can become an abundance for all (Matthew 14:20).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 1 Samuel 9:13 (6 votes)

    As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; [and] afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

  • Luke 24:30 (6 votes)

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

  • Mark 8:6 (6 votes)

    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 8:7 (6 votes)

    And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before [them].

  • Acts 27:35 (5 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 4:4 (5 votes)

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:5 (5 votes)

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