Matthew 14:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:15 mean?

Matthew 14:15 describes how, as evening approached, Jesus’ disciples came to him and pointed out that they were in a deserted place and it was getting late. The disciples suggested that Jesus send the crowds away so they could go to the nearby villages and buy food for themselves.

In this verse, the disciples are speaking directly to Jesus, concerned for the practical needs of the large crowd that had gathered to hear him. The setting is remote, with no easy access to food, and the time is late in the day. The disciples’ suggestion shows their awareness of the crowd’s needs and sets the stage for the miracle of feeding the five thousand that follows.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:15

• ἔρημος (erēmos, “desert”): This word means a deserted or uninhabited place, not necessarily a sandy desert, but simply an area without settlements or resources. It highlights the isolation and lack of provisions where the crowd had gathered.
• ὥρα (hōra, “time”): This word refers to an hour or a period of time. The disciples note that the time is “now past,” emphasizing that it is late and urgent action is needed.
• ἀπόλυσον (apolysōn, “send away”): The disciples ask Jesus to dismiss the crowd, showing they see no other solution for the people to get food except to leave and find it themselves.
• βρώματα (brōmata, “victuals”): This word means food or something to eat. The disciples are focused on the basic, physical need for nourishment.

Why Matthew 14:15 matters

• This verse shows the disciples’ practical thinking and their concern for the crowd’s well-being, but also their limited view of what Jesus could do in that situation.
• Matthew 14:15 sets up the context for one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles, the feeding of the five thousand, by highlighting the impossibility of meeting the crowd’s needs through ordinary means.
• The verse helps readers see the contrast between human limitations and what Jesus is about to demonstrate regarding God’s provision and care.