Luke 9:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρα
when the day
G2250
ἡμέρα
when the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
3 of 33
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
κλίνειν·
to wear away
G2827
κλίνειν·
to wear away
Strong's:
G2827
Word #:
5 of 33
to slant or slope, i.e., incline or recline (literally or figuratively)
προσελθόντες
came
G4334
προσελθόντες
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
6 of 33
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 33
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
Ἀπόλυσον
Send
G630
Ἀπόλυσον
Send
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
12 of 33
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλον
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλον
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
14 of 33
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἀπελθόντες
they may go
G565
ἀπελθόντες
they may go
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
16 of 33
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 33
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύκλῳ
round about
G2945
κύκλῳ
round about
Strong's:
G2945
Word #:
19 of 33
i.e., in a circle (by implication, of g1722), i.e., (adverbially) all around
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦς
G3588
τοῦς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγροὺς
country
G68
ἀγροὺς
country
Strong's:
G68
Word #:
23 of 33
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
καταλύσωσιν
and lodge
G2647
καταλύσωσιν
and lodge
Strong's:
G2647
Word #:
24 of 33
to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
28 of 33
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐρήμῳ
a desert
G2048
ἐρήμῳ
a desert
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
31 of 33
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the disciples' reasonable-sounding concerns reveal a failure to grasp Jesus's power and resources?
- In what situations do you tend to see problems clearly but fail to look to Christ for solutions beyond natural means?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between human logic and divine provision in addressing seemingly impossible needs?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.