Matthew 14:16
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 13
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
χρείαν
They need
G5532
χρείαν
They need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
7 of 13
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχουσιν
G2192
ἔχουσιν
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
8 of 13
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀπελθεῖν
depart
G565
ἀπελθεῖν
depart
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
9 of 13
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
δότε
give
G1325
δότε
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
10 of 13
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 11:2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.John 13:29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Historical Context
Jesus deliberately involved the disciples in the miracle's distribution, teaching that God multiplies what we offer Him. The command to feed thousands with minimal resources seemed absurd, but Jesus was training them to depend on His power, not their resources. Faith steps forward in obedience despite impossibility.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'impossible' assignment is Jesus giving you that requires His miraculous provision?
- How does Jesus involving the disciples teach about participating in God's work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' response 'They need not depart; give ye them to eat' transforms the disciples' problem into their assignment. 'They need not depart' shows Jesus' compassion and sufficiency. 'Give ye them to eat' commissions the disciples to participate in the miracle—God uses human instruments in divine provision. This command appeared impossible (v. 17 shows they had only five loaves and two fish), testing whether they would trust Jesus despite inadequate resources.