Matthew 14:15
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
Original Language Analysis
ὀψίας
evening
G3798
ὀψίας
evening
Strong's:
G3798
Word #:
1 of 29
late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)
γενομένης
when it was
G1096
γενομένης
when it was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
προσῆλθον
came
G4334
προσῆλθον
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
4 of 29
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 29
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 29
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
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἔρημός
a desert
G2048
Ἔρημός
a desert
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
10 of 29
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
ἐστιν
This is
G2076
ἐστιν
This is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
11 of 29
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπος
place
G5117
τόπος
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
13 of 29
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρῆλθεν·
past
G3928
παρῆλθεν·
past
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
18 of 29
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
ἀπόλυσον
away
G630
ἀπόλυσον
away
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
19 of 29
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλους
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλους
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
21 of 29
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 #:
23 of 29
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 #:
24 of 29
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 #:
25 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγοράσωσιν
and buy
G59
ἀγοράσωσιν
and buy
Strong's:
G59
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
Historical Context
Evening in Jewish reckoning began around 3pm. The remote location meant villages were hours away. The disciples' calculation was reasonable by human standards—5000 men plus women and children (possibly 10,000+ total) needed food. But Jesus was about to demonstrate God's economy transcends human limitation.
Questions for Reflection
- When do you default to 'practical' solutions that limit God's miraculous power?
- How does the disciples' suggestion reveal limited faith in your own life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The disciples' suggestion 'send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals' appears practical but shows limited faith. They saw the problem (hungry crowd, late hour, remote location) but not the divine solution. Their focus on human resources ('villages,' 'buy') missed the divine opportunity for miraculous provision. This response contrasts with Jesus' intention to test and train their faith.