King James Version

What Does Luke 9:14 Mean?

Luke 9:14 in the King James Version says “For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 9:14 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For they were about five thousand men (ἦσαν γὰρ ὡσεὶ ἄνδρες πεντακισχίλιοι, ēsan gar hōsei andres pentakischilioi)—The Greek andres specifically means adult males, not just "people." Matthew 14:21 clarifies: "beside women and children." The total crowd could have been 10,000-15,000. This detail emphasizes the magnitude of the miracle—not feeding a small group but thousands with five loaves and two fish.

And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company (εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ· Κατακλίνατε αὐτοὺς κλισίας ὡσεὶ ἀνὰ πεντήκοντα, eipen de pros tous mathētas autou: Kataklinate autous klisias hōsei ana pentēkonta)—Jesus organizes the crowd systematically. The word klisias ("groups, companies") suggests orderly arrangement. Mark 6:40 adds they sat in groups of hundreds and fifties, creating a pattern that facilitated distribution and verified the count. This organization demonstrates that Jesus's miracles aren't chaotic but orderly, reflecting the character of the God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33). It also involves the disciples actively in the miracle's unfolding.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The requirement to sit in organized groups echoes Israel in the wilderness, when Moses organized the people in groups for judicial matters (Exodus 18:21, 25: "rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens"). Mark 6:39 notes they sat on "green grass," indicating springtime near Passover (John 6:4)—one year before Jesus's crucifixion. The crowd's organization allowed the disciples to serve systematically and ensured all were fed. This orderliness also enabled witnesses to testify accurately to the miracle's extent.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus organize the crowd before performing the miracle, and what does this teach about God's orderly character?
  2. How does the specification of 5,000 men (plus women and children) emphasize both the miracle's magnitude and the testimony's reliability?
  3. In what ways does Jesus involve the disciples in the miracle rather than acting independently, and what does this model for ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἦσαν1 of 16

“they were”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

γὰρ2 of 16

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὡσεὶ3 of 16

“about”

G5616

as if

ἄνδρες4 of 16

“men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

πεντακισχίλιοι5 of 16

“five thousand”

G4000

five times a thousand

εἶπεν6 of 16

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ7 of 16

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸς8 of 16

“to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τοὺς9 of 16
G3588

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

μαθητὰς10 of 16

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοὺς11 of 16

“them”

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

Κατακλίνατε12 of 16

“Make”

G2625

to recline down, i.e., (specially) to take a place at table

αὐτοὺς13 of 16

“them”

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

κλισίας14 of 16

“in a company”

G2828

properly, reclination, i.e., (concretely and specially), a party at a meal

ἀνὰ15 of 16

“by”

G303

properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)

πεντήκοντα16 of 16

“fifties”

G4004

fifty

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 9:14 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 9:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 14:40Mark 8:6Mark 6:39-40

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