King James Version

What Does Luke 9:12 Mean?

Luke 9:12 in the King James Version says “And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 9:12 · KJV


Context

10

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

11

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

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.

13

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.

14

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the day began to wear away (ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤρξατο κλίνειν, hē de hēmera ērxato klinein)—literally "the day began to decline," indicating late afternoon approaching evening. Then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away—The disciples' request seems reasonable: it's getting late, people need food and lodging, and this is a remote area. Their logic is purely practical.

That they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals (ἵνα πορευθέντες εἰς τὰς κύκλῳ κώμας καὶ ἀγροὺς καταλύσωσιν καὶ εὕρωσιν ἐπισιτισμόν, hina poreuthentes eis tas kyklō kōmas kai agrous katalysōsin kai heurōsin episitismon)—The disciples propose dispersing the crowd to nearby villages for shelter and food. For we are here in a desert place (ὅτι ὧδε ἐν ἐρήμῳ τόπῳ ἐσμέν, hoti hōde en erēmō topō esmen)—the Greek erēmos means uninhabited, not necessarily arid. Their assessment is accurate but incomplete—they see the problem clearly but haven't yet learned to look to Jesus for impossible solutions. This sets up the miracle: Jesus will demonstrate that His resources are unlimited.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The disciples' concern reflects practical realities of first-century Palestine. Villages were scattered across Galilee, and travelers needed to reach them before nightfall for safety and hospitality. Food wasn't available in uninhabited areas—no restaurants or stores existed. The crowd numbered about 5,000 men (v. 14), plus women and children, possibly 10,000-15,000 total. Feeding such a multitude seemed impossible, yet Jesus had just taught them about the kingdom of God—and the kingdom operates by different rules than earthly logic.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the disciples' reasonable-sounding concerns reveal a failure to grasp Jesus's power and resources?
  2. In what situations do you tend to see problems clearly but fail to look to Christ for solutions beyond natural means?
  3. What does this passage teach about the relationship between human logic and divine provision in addressing seemingly impossible needs?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
1 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 33

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἡμέρα3 of 33

when the day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἤρξατο4 of 33

began

G756

to commence (in order of time)

κλίνειν·5 of 33

to wear away

G2827

to slant or slope, i.e., incline or recline (literally or figuratively)

προσελθόντες6 of 33

came

G4334

to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to

δὲ7 of 33

And

G1161

but, and, etc

οἱ8 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δώδεκα9 of 33

the twelve

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

εἶπον10 of 33

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ11 of 33

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἀπόλυσον12 of 33

Send

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

τὸν13 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλον14 of 33

the multitude

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ἵνα15 of 33

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἀπελθόντες16 of 33

they may go

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

εἰς17 of 33

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰς18 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύκλῳ19 of 33

round about

G2945

i.e., in a circle (by implication, of g1722), i.e., (adverbially) all around

κώμας20 of 33

the towns

G2968

a hamlet (as if laid down)

καὶ21 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦς22 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγροὺς23 of 33

country

G68

a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet

καταλύσωσιν24 of 33

and lodge

G2647

to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night

καὶ25 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εὕρωσιν26 of 33

get

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐπισιτισμόν27 of 33

victuals

G1979

a provisioning, i.e., (concretely) food

ὅτι28 of 33

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὧδε29 of 33

here

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

ἐν30 of 33

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐρήμῳ31 of 33

a desert

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

τόπῳ32 of 33

place

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

ἐσμέν33 of 33

we are

G2070

we are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 9:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 9:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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