And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

MATTHEW 14:19KJV
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Matthew 14:19 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:19 mean?

Matthew 14:19 describes Jesus instructing the crowd to sit on the grass, then taking five loaves and two fish, looking up to heaven to bless the food, breaking the loaves, and giving them to his disciples to distribute to the people. This verse shows the moment before Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd with a small amount of food.

In this scene, Jesus is with his disciples and a large group of followers who have gathered to hear him. The verse highlights Jesus’ actions: his command for order, his prayerful blessing, and his role in providing for the crowd through his disciples. The details set up the miracle that follows, emphasizing Jesus’ care, gratitude, and the involvement of his disciples in serving others.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:19

  • The word for "blessed" is εὐλόγησεν (eulogēsen), which means to give thanks or to speak well of. In this context, it often refers to a prayer of thanksgiving to God before a meal, showing Jesus’ gratitude and acknowledgment of God as the provider.
  • The word for "brake" is ἔκλασεν (eklasen), meaning to break apart. This detail matters because bread was commonly broken by hand and shared, symbolizing both provision and fellowship.
  • The word for "gave" is ἔδωκεν (edōken), which means to give or hand over. The Greek here shows an ongoing action, suggesting that Jesus kept giving the bread to the disciples, which fits with the miraculous nature of the event.

Why Matthew 14:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus involved his disciples in the act of serving, not just performing the miracle alone, which highlights their role in his ministry.
  • The description of Jesus blessing and breaking the bread connects to other moments in the Gospels, such as the Last Supper, where similar actions carry deep meaning.
  • The verse sets the stage for the miracle by focusing on Jesus’ prayerful dependence on God and the orderly distribution to the crowd, helping readers see the intentional and communal nature of the event.

Where else these words appear

“down” Greek G347 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
  • Luke 9:15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

“grass” Greek G5528 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

“brake” Greek G2806 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
  • Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

“fishes” Greek G2486 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
  • Mark 6:41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
  • Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?