Luke 9:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus takes the loaves and fish, looks to heaven, blesses and breaks them, and gives them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
What Does Luke 9:16 Mean?
Now the center of the scene: Jesus takes the five loaves and two fishes, lifts his eyes to heaven, blesses, breaks, and gives. The miracle hides inside the giving; the bread multiplies as it passes from his hands through the disciples to the seated thousands. The verbs of this verse, took, blessed, brake, gave, will sound again at the Last Supper and at Emmaus.
Jesus receives the little, gives thanks over it, and makes it enough. The lifted eyes teach where supply comes from; the breaking teaches how it spreads. What is placed in the hands of Christ is never diminished by being offered, and those who hand out his provision find it still arriving as they serve. He feeds multitudes through the hands of his servants still.
Luke 9:16 in the Original Language
eulogeo (εὐλογέω), 'blessed' -- to speak well of; to give thanks and praise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 9:16
What does Luke 9:16 mean?
Jesus takes the loaves and fish, looks to heaven, blesses and breaks them, and gives them to the disciples to set before the crowd.