Matthew 14:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλοις
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλοις
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
4 of 34
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 34
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χόρτους
the grass
G5528
χόρτους
the grass
Strong's:
G5528
Word #:
8 of 34
a "court" or "garden", i.e., (by implication, of pasture) herbage or vegetation
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναβλέψας
and looking up
G308
ἀναβλέψας
and looking up
Strong's:
G308
Word #:
18 of 34
to look up; by implication, to recover sight
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
21 of 34
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
εὐλόγησεν
he blessed
G2127
εὐλόγησεν
he blessed
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
22 of 34
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκεν
and gave
G1325
ἔδωκεν
and gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
25 of 34
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 24:30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.1 Samuel 9:13As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.Acts 27:35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.Mark 6:41And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.Romans 14:6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.1 Corinthians 11:24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.Mark 7:34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.1 Corinthians 10:16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?Luke 9:14For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' thanksgiving before the miracle model faith for you?
- In what ways does this miracle prefigure communion and Christ's provision?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.