Luke 9:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As evening approaches, the Twelve urge Jesus to dismiss the crowd to find food and lodging in the surrounding villages, since they are in a deserted place.
What Does Luke 9:12 Mean?
The day of teaching and healing wears on toward evening, and the Twelve grow practical. Thousands of people stand in a deserted place with no market, no inns, and fading light. Their counsel is sensible: send the multitude away to the towns and farms round about for food and beds.
The disciples see the need clearly; what they do not yet see is the resource standing beside them. Send them away is reasonable arithmetic when bread is limited, but Jesus is about to replace arithmetic with abundance. Many prayers begin where this verse begins, with an honest accounting of what cannot be done; grace begins where the next verse begins, with what Jesus says instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 9:12
What does Luke 9:12 mean?
As evening approaches, the Twelve urge Jesus to dismiss the crowd to find food and lodging in the surrounding villages, since they are in a deserted place.