Devine Scripture

Luke 9:14

What does Luke 9:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:14 means

Luke reports the crowd numbered about five thousand men, and Jesus instructed the disciples to seat them in groups of about fifty. The detail emphasizes the crowd’s great size and introduces orderly hospitality: organizing people into smaller groups aids distribution and listening. The number also underscores the remarkable scale of Jesus’ compassion and the miracle to follow. Arranging the crowd prepares them for collective participation in a prophetic act and demonstrates Jesus’ pastoral care—he not only feeds bodies but orders the scene so people can receive the blessing in an orderly, communal way.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them be seated in groups, about fifty to a group.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, `Cause them to recline in companies, in each fifty;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples: Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down in companies by fifties.

Context

This verse follows the problem-solution exchange (v.13) and moves toward action. The counting of heads and seating plan show Jesus’ practical leadership and set the stage for the miraculous multiplication. By describing the crowd and arrangement, Luke prepares readers for the feeding event that follows (vv.15–17), emphasizing both magnitude and method in Jesus’ work of provision.

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.

v.14This passage

v.15And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 8:6

    And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.

  • Mark 6:39

    And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:40

    But let all things be done decently and in order.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 9

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 9.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 9:14.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary