King James Version

What Does Luke 9:16 Mean?

Luke 9:16 in the King James Version says “Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the d... — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 9:16 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

18

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven (λαβὼν δὲ τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς δύο ἰχθύας ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, labōn de tous pente artous kai tous dyo ichthyas anablepsas eis ton ouranon)—Jesus's upward gaze acknowledged dependence on the Father. This gesture appears before several miracles and prayers (Luke 18:13, John 11:41, 17:1), modeling that all power flows from God. Though Jesus is divine, His incarnate ministry demonstrates perfect human dependence on the Father.

He blessed them (εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς, eulogēsen autous)—Jesus gave thanks to God, following Jewish custom of blessing God for His provision. Matthew 14:19 uses eulogeō (bless), while John 6:11 uses eucharisteō (give thanks)—both describe the same action. This blessing transforms the meal, though the miracle's mechanics remain mysterious. And brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude (καὶ κατέκλασεν καὶ ἐδίδου τοῖς μαθηταῖς παραθεῖναι τῷ ὄχλῳ, kai kateklasen kai edidou tois mathētais paratheinai tō ochlō)—The imperfect tense edidou ("kept giving") indicates continuous action. Jesus kept breaking and giving, breaking and giving, and the bread multiplied in His hands. The disciples mediated the miracle, distributing bread that supernaturally appeared. This foreshadows the Last Supper (Luke 22:19: "he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it") and the Eucharist.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The blessing before meals was standard Jewish practice, typically the berakah: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth." Jesus's use of this traditional blessing before a supernatural multiplication shows continuity with Jewish piety while transcending it. The miracle deliberately echoes Elisha's multiplication of loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44) but on a vastly greater scale—Elisha fed 100 with 20 loaves; Jesus feeds 15,000 with 5 loaves. The crowd will later seek to make Jesus king by force (John 6:15), misunderstanding the miracle's true significance—Jesus is the bread of life who gives eternal sustenance, not merely a wonder-worker who provides physical food.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus's looking to heaven and blessing the food teach about acknowledging God's provision even for miraculous supply?
  2. How does Jesus's use of the disciples to distribute the multiplying bread involve them in the miracle and model collaborative ministry?
  3. In what ways does this feeding miracle point forward to the Last Supper and the ongoing gift of Christ as the bread of life in the Eucharist?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
λαβὼν1 of 24

he took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

δὲ2 of 24

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

τοὺς3 of 24
G3588

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

πέντε4 of 24

the five

G4002

"five"

ἄρτους5 of 24

loaves

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

καὶ6 of 24

and

G2532

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

τοὺς7 of 24
G3588

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

δύο8 of 24

the two

G1417

"two"

ἰχθύας9 of 24

fishes

G2486

a fish

ἀναβλέψας10 of 24

and looking up

G308

to look up; by implication, to recover sight

εἰς11 of 24

to

G1519

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

τὸν12 of 24
G3588

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

οὐρανὸν13 of 24

heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

εὐλόγησεν14 of 24

he blessed

G2127

to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)

αὐτοὺς15 of 24

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

καὶ16 of 24

and

G2532

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

κατέκλασεν17 of 24

brake

G2622

to break down, i.e., divide

καὶ18 of 24

and

G2532

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

ἐδίδου19 of 24

gave

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τοῖς20 of 24
G3588

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

μαθηταῖς21 of 24

to the disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

παρατιθέναι22 of 24

to set before

G3908

to place alongside, i.e., present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for protection)

τῷ23 of 24
G3588

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

ὄχλῳ24 of 24

the multitude

G3793

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


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 9:16 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 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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