King James Version

What Does Matthew 14:19 Mean?

Matthew 14:19 in the King James Version says “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 14:19 · KJV


Context

17

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18

He said, Bring them hither to me.

19

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.

20

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' actions—'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'—model prayer and order before provision. 'Looking up to heaven' shows dependence on the Father. 'He blessed' acknowledges God as provider. 'Brake' and 'gave' show Jesus as the distribution channel. The disciples distributed—participating in the miracle they couldn't produce themselves.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The orderly seating (Mark 6:40 says in groups of 50 and 100) facilitated distribution and demonstrated Jesus' authority. The blessing wasn't magic but acknowledgment of divine provision. The breaking multiplied the bread—as Jesus broke and gave, it increased. This prefigures the Lord's Supper where Jesus' broken body feeds spiritually.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' thanksgiving before the miracle model faith for you?
  2. In what ways does this miracle prefigure communion and Christ's provision?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
καὶ1 of 34

And

G2532

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

κελεύσας2 of 34

he commanded

G2753

"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order

τοὺς3 of 34
G3588

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

ὄχλοις4 of 34

the multitude

G3793

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

ἀνακλιθῆναι5 of 34

to sit down

G347

to lean back

ἐπὶ6 of 34

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοὺς7 of 34
G3588

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

χόρτους8 of 34

the grass

G5528

a "court" or "garden", i.e., (by implication, of pasture) herbage or vegetation

καὶ9 of 34

And

G2532

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

λαβὼν10 of 34

took

G2983

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

τοὺς11 of 34
G3588

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

πέντε12 of 34

the five

G4002

"five"

ἄρτους13 of 34

loaves

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

καὶ14 of 34

And

G2532

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

τοὺς15 of 34
G3588

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

δύο16 of 34

the two

G1417

"two"

ἰχθύας17 of 34

fishes

G2486

a fish

ἀναβλέψας18 of 34

and looking up

G308

to look up; by implication, to recover sight

εἰς19 of 34

to

G1519

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

τὸν20 of 34
G3588

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

οὐρανὸν21 of 34

heaven

G3772

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

εὐλόγησεν22 of 34

he blessed

G2127

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

καὶ23 of 34

And

G2532

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

κλάσας24 of 34

brake

G2806

to break (specially, of bread)

ἔδωκεν25 of 34

and gave

G1325

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

τοῖς26 of 34
G3588

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

μαθηταὶ27 of 34

the disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

τοὺς28 of 34
G3588

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

ἄρτους29 of 34

loaves

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

οἱ30 of 34
G3588

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

δὲ31 of 34

and

G1161

but, and, etc

μαθηταὶ32 of 34

the disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

τοῖς33 of 34
G3588

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

ὄχλοις34 of 34

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 Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 14:19 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 Matthew 14:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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