Luke 9:12
What does Luke 9:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:12 means
As the day waned, the twelve urged Jesus to send the crowd away so they could find lodging and food in nearby villages, noting they were in a deserted place. Their practical concern shows human limits: considering the crowd’s needs for rest and provisions, they prioritize safety. The request also reveals realistic stewardship; caring for thousands requires resources beyond the small band’s means. They assume Jesus would prefer practical arrangements over miracles, reflecting honest discipleship that still learns to expect God’s extraordinary provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the day went on; and the twelve came to him and said, Send these people away so that they may go into the towns and the country round about and get resting-places and food for themselves, for we are in a waste place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the day began to decline, and the twelve having come near, said to him, `Let away the multitude, that having gone to the villages and the fields round about, they may lodge and may find provision, because here we are in a desert place.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now the day began to decline. And the twelve came and said to him: Send away the multitude, that, going into the towns and villages round about, they may lodge and get victuals; for we are here in a desert place.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to him, Send away the crowd that they may go into the villages around, and [into] the fields, and lodge and find victuals, for here we are in a desert place.
Context
This verse follows Jesus’ ministry to the crowds (v.11) and prepares the setting for the feeding miracle. The apostles’ suggestion to disperse the crowd highlights logistical difficulty and human constraints. Luke uses this moment to contrast human reasoning with Jesus’ response (vv.13–17), which directs the disciples to trust divine provision and participate in a miraculous sign that illustrates the kingdom’s abundance.
v.11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.
v.12This passage
v.13But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 78:19
Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
- Matthew 15:32
And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.
- John 6:5
Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?
- Hosea 13:5
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
- Matthew 15:23
But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
- John 6:1
After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which isthe seaof Tiberias.
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