New Testament
Luke 9:13
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But Jesus said, "You feed them." They replied, "All we have is 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish — unless you want us to go buy food for all these people."
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But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
What Luke 9:13 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, Jesus challenges his disciples to take responsibility for feeding a large crowd. The disciples are overwhelmed and point out their limited resources: just five loaves of bread and two fish. This moment highlights their doubt and the impossibility of the task at hand. Jesus, however, is teaching them about faith and reliance on God’s provision. Instead of focusing on what they lack, He encourages them to use what they have. This interaction sets the stage for the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, demonstrating that with faith, even the smallest resources can be multiplied to meet great needs. It emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s ability to provide, even when circumstances seem dire. The disciples' initial response reflects a common human tendency to focus on limitations rather than possibilities, but Jesus redirects their perspective towards faith and action.
How to apply Luke 9:13 to your life
When faced with overwhelming challenges, remember that God can work through our limited resources. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should trust in His ability to provide and take action with what we have. This encourages us to be proactive in serving others.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Feeding the Five Thousand (Luke 9:10–17)
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Bethlehem
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Keep studying Luke 9:13
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 9:13 mean?
In Luke 9:13, Jesus instructs His disciples to feed a large crowd with their limited resources of five loaves and two fish. This moment illustrates the importance of faith and reliance on God's provision, showing that even small offerings can lead to miraculous outcomes when placed in His hands.
What is the significance of the loaves and fish in Luke 9:13?
The five loaves and two fish in Luke 9:13 symbolize the disciples' limited resources and their initial doubt about feeding the crowd. Jesus uses this situation to teach them that with faith, even the smallest contributions can be multiplied to meet great needs.
How does Luke 9:13 relate to faith?
Luke 9:13 relates to faith by demonstrating that Jesus encourages His disciples to act on their limited resources rather than focusing on their lack. This teaches that faith can lead to miraculous outcomes, even when circumstances seem impossible.
What lesson can we learn from Luke 9:13?
From Luke 9:13, we learn that we should not let our limitations prevent us from taking action. Instead, we can trust in God's ability to provide and use what we have to serve others, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and faith.
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