But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go; you give them something to eat!”
Parallel translations
- WEB But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
- KJV But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
- BSB “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”
- NKJV But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
- NLT But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus tells the disciples they themselves should feed the crowd. He challenges them to look to Him rather than away.
Overview
Rather than dismissing the crowd, Jesus instructs His disciples to provide food, a task far beyond their means. His command stretches their faith and invites them to participate in His work. The verse teaches that Christ often calls His people to serve in ways that require dependence on His power rather than their own resources.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Kgs 4:42–44A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God bread some of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.”
- 2 Cor 8:2–3how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
- Eccl 11:2Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.
- John 13:29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
- Prov 11:24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
- Luke 3:11He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
- Job 31:16–17“If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
- 2 Cor 9:7–8Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 14:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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