Luke 9:14-16

9:14 (Now about five thousand men ¹  were there.) ²  Then ³  he said to his disciples, “Have ⁴  them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 9:15 So they did as Jesus directed, ⁵  and the people ⁶  all sat down.

9:16 Then ⁷  he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks ⁸  and broke them. He gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

¹ tn The Greek text reads here ἄνδρες (andres) – that is, adult males. The actual count would be larger, since the use of this Greek term suggests that women and children were not included in this number (see the parallel in Matt 14:21).

² sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

³ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁴ tn Or “Make” (depending on how the force of the imperative verb is understood). Grk “cause them to recline” (the verb has causative force here).

⁵ tn Grk “And they did thus.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that the disciples’ action was a result of Jesus’ instructions. The adverb οὕτως ({outw", “thus”) has been expanded in the translation to “as Jesus directed” to clarify what was done.

⁶ tn Grk “and they”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁸ sn Gave thanks adds a note of gratitude to the setting. The scene is like two other later meals: Luke 22:19 and 24:30. Jesus gives thanks to God “with respect to” the provision of food. The disciples learn how Jesus is the mediator of blessing. John 6 speaks of him in this scene as picturing the “Bread of Life.”