Luke 9:12

As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — As the day neared its end, the Twelve approach Jesus in a desolate place and request that He dismiss the crowd to surrounding villages for lodging and provisions.

The words — The participle προσελθόντες (proselthontes) denotes the disciples drawing near to Jesus, while ἤρξατο κλίνειν (ērxato klinein) literally marks the day beginning to decline or wane.

The thread — The logistical problem of feeding a crowd in a desolate location resurfaces in the wilderness skepticism of Psalms 78:19 and the provision motif of Hosea 13:5.

Why it lands — The text records the disciples identifying human insufficiency before Jesus issues the command to feed the multitude, requiring readers to acknowledge that recognized need precedes divine supply.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And 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.

Cross-references

Psalms 78:19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?
Hosea 13:5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
Matthew 15:23 But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
Mark 6:35 By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late.
John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias).
John 6:5 When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?”
Ezekiel 34:25 I will make with them a covenant of peace and rid the land of wild animals, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.
Matthew 14:15 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Matthew 15:32 Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”