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Luke 9:13

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 9:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But 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.
Luke 9:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.
11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.
12And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
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.
14For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.
15And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said to them, give ye them to eat, etc.] Signifying, that it was not his will to dismiss people, and send them scattering abroad into the adjacent cities, towns, or houses; and that there was no need of it, but that his will was, that they should be supplied with provisions out of their stock: and they said, we have no more than five loaves and two fishes; and these loaves were barley loaves, and the fishes small, (<430609>John 6:9) except we should go and buy meat for all this people; which would at least cost them two hundred pence; and which they represent as impossible to be done, either through want of so much money, or the scarcity of provision in those parts; where, had they…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the Matthew 14:13-21 notes, and Mark 6:30-44 notes. Luke 9:10 Bethsaida - A city on the east bank of the river Jordan, near where the river enters into the Sea of Tiberias. In the neighborhood of that city were extensive wastes or deserts. Luke 9:12 Day began to wear away - To decline, or as it drew near toward evening. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:13 You feed them: After their ministry of healing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus wanted the disciples to demonstrate faith in God’s ability to feed the crowds.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Give: Kg2 4:42, Kg2 4:43; Mat 14:16, Mat 14:17; Mar 6:37, Mar 6:38; Joh 6:5-9 have: Num 11:21-23; Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25 Luke 9:14”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 9 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification