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Luke 9:14
ESV For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."
NIV (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."
NASB (For there were about five thousand men.) But He said to His disciples, 'Have them recline to eat in groups of about fifty each.'
CSB (For about five thousand men were there.) Then he told his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."
NLT For there were about 5,000 men there. Jesus replied, 'Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.'
KJV For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
NKJV For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.”

What does Luke 9:14 mean?

Jesus is telling the disciples to organize a vast crowd, preparing them to receive food which He will provide. There are about five thousand men, plus women and children (Matthew 14:21). Unfortunately, the crowd only has five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:13). Despite the fact the disciples have healed illnesses, raised the dead, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8), they can't imagine how they—or Jesus—could find enough food to feed everyone.

Scholars differ on whether the numbers recorded have any significance. Some say the "five thousand" should be connected to verse 13, to emphasize the difficulty in finding enough food. Some say the groups of fifty refer to when Obadiah hid prophets in a cave and fed them (1 Kings 18:13). Some suggest it refers to Moses dividing the Israelites into groups of fifty (Exodus 18:21). Still others say the only meaningful intent is to provide specific details as part of Luke's historically accurate account.

A series of allusions to Old Testament figures runs throughout Luke chapter 9. These include Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and other Old Testament-era prophets (Luke 9:8, 13, 19, 33, 41, 54). This makes any of the three options valid.
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