Matthew 14:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."

NIV: Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

NASB: But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go; you give them something to eat!'

CSB: "They don’t need to go away," Jesus told them. "You give them something to eat."

NLT: But Jesus said, 'That isn’t necessary — you feed them.'

KJV: But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

NKJV: But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

The disciples literally lived to serve Jesus. Their primary work was to learn from Him, but a disciple of any master also agreed to serve him in exchange for their training. Jesus' disciples, especially, had begun to understand they would spend their entire lives serving Jesus by ministering to others.

Expected or not, this would have been difficult at times. In this case, the men planned to arrive at a desolate place to be alone, not to spend the day serving Jesus as He healed crowds of sick people. Now it was time for the evening meal and neither they nor the crowds had food to eat. Very reasonably, if not very compassionately, they suggested to Jesus that He send the people to nearby villages to get themselves food.

Jesus rejects that plan. The people don't need to leave. The disciples should give them food, Jesus says. The disciples knew for a fact that this was impossible. They simply did not have the resources to do what Jesus asked. Other gospels include their understanding that this would have required far more bread, and far more money, than were available (Mark 6:37; John 6:6–7). He would show them that His power makes anything possible.

Matthew 14:13–21 begins with Jesus and His disciples leaving behind the crowds to escape by boat to desolate place. Instead, they find the crowds waiting there for them. Jesus heals people and eventually tells the disciples to feed everyone. The disciples have no food beyond five loaves and two fish. Jesus miraculously feeds more than 5,000 from that simple meal. Twelve baskets full of leftovers remain after everyone has eaten as much as they want. This miracle is recorded in all the four Gospels (Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14).

Matthew 14 begins with a backstory about the arrest and execution of John the Baptist by Herod the tetrarch, the Jewish ruler of the region. Jesus and the disciples take a boat to a desolate place only to find crowds waiting. Jesus heals many and then feeds as many as twenty thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later, the disciples row against a strong wind until Jesus walks on the water to meet them and calm the wind. Peter walks on water briefly and then doubts and begins to sink. The disciples worship Jesus. On the other side of the lake, Jesus continues to heal the sick.

Matthew 13 included more of Jesus' parables and an unfortunate incident where His own hometown rejected His ministry. Chapter 14 begins with news that Herod the tetrarch—the man who killed John the Baptist—is aware of Jesus' fame and power. Jesus and the disciples intend to withdraw to somewhere desolate, but a crowd is waiting for them. Jesus heals people, miraculously feeds thousands, and walks on water. When they reach the other side, Jesus heals more people. Chapter 15 sees Jesus once again debating with His critics and performing more healings.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.