Matthew 14:19

What does Matthew 14:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 14:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 14:19 means

Jesus commanded the large crowd to sit down on the grass, establishing order and preparing them to receive. He then took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed them, giving thanks to God. Breaking the bread, He gave the pieces to the disciples, who then distributed them to the multitudes. This structured process demonstrates Jesus' orderly compassion and His reliance on the Father, showing the importance of gratitude and distribution in divine provision.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave orders for the people to be seated on the grass; and he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing, and made division of the food, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the people.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having commanded the multitudes to recline upon the grass, and having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, having looked up to the heaven, he did bless, and having broken, he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had commanded the multitude to sit down upon the grass, he 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 multitudes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed: and having broken the loaves, he gave [them] to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds.

Context

This verse details the crucial steps Jesus took to prepare for and perform the feeding miracle, immediately following His instruction to bring Him the food. It shows His method of blessing and distributing the food through the disciples. This organized process directly precedes the astonishing outcome of the feeding, where everyone is satisfied, laying the groundwork for the display of God's abundant provision.

v.18And he said, Bring them hither to me.

v.19This passage

v.20And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 6:39

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

  • Matthew 26:26

    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

  • John 6:10

    Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

  • Colossians 3:17

    And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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