And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

LUKE 9:10KJV
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Luke 9:10 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:10 mean?

Luke 9:10 describes how the apostles returned to Jesus and reported to him everything they had done. Jesus then took them away privately to a quiet place near the city of Bethsaida, away from the crowds.

In this verse, the apostles (Jesus’ closest followers) come back from a mission he had sent them on. They tell Jesus about their experiences, and he chooses to take them aside for some private time together. The mention of a "desert place" does not mean a sandy desert, but rather a quiet, uninhabited area near Bethsaida, likely for rest and reflection after their work.

The Greek behind Luke 9:10

  • "ἀποστόλους" (apostolous, G652) means "apostles" or "sent ones." This highlights that these followers had just returned from being sent out by Jesus with a specific mission.
  • "ὑποστρέψαντες" (hupostrepsantes, G5290) means "having returned." The Greek here emphasizes a completed action—the apostles have come back from their assigned work.
  • "κατ’ ἰδίαν" (kat’ idian, G2596, G2398) means "privately" or "by themselves." This phrase shows Jesus’ intention to give the apostles a break from the crowds, focusing on personal time together.
  • "ἔρημον" (erēmon, G2048) means "desert" or "wilderness," but in this context, it refers to an isolated or quiet place, not a barren desert.

Why Luke 9:10 matters

  • Luke 9:10 shows Jesus’ care for his followers, making space for them to rest and share after their work, which adds a human and relational dimension to the story.
  • The verse sets up the next event in the chapter, the feeding of the five thousand, by explaining why Jesus and the apostles were in a remote area.
  • The detail about going "privately" helps readers understand that Jesus valued both public ministry and private time with his closest followers, balancing action with reflection.

Where else these words appear

“aside” Greek G5298 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

“Bethsaida” Greek G966 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
  • John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

“told” Greek G1334 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
  • Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

“returned” Greek G5290 · used in 35 verses

  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
  • Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
  • Acts 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.