New Testament
Luke 9:16
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Jesus took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them into pieces, and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd.
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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.
What Luke 9:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus performs a miracle by taking a small amount of food—five loaves of bread and two fish—and multiplying it to feed a large crowd. He first looks up to heaven, showing his dependence on God and acknowledging that all provision comes from Him. By blessing the food, Jesus sanctifies it for the purpose of feeding the people. After breaking the loaves and fish into pieces, he gives them to his disciples, who then distribute the food to the multitude. This act not only demonstrates Jesus' compassion for the hungry but also illustrates the power of faith and the importance of sharing what little we have. The miracle serves as a reminder that God can take our limited resources and use them to accomplish great things when we trust in Him. It emphasizes the significance of community and the role of the disciples in serving others, highlighting that everyone has a part to play in God's work.
How to apply Luke 9:16 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust God with our limited resources. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish, we can offer what we have to God, believing He can use it for greater purposes. Sharing with others can lead to unexpected blessings.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Feeding the Five Thousand (Luke 9:10–17)
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Jesus
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
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
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Keep studying Luke 9:16
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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 9:16 mean?
Luke 9:16 describes Jesus performing a miracle by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a large crowd. It highlights His dependence on God, the power of faith, and the importance of sharing resources.
What is the significance of Jesus looking up to heaven in Luke 9:16?
Jesus looking up to heaven in Luke 9:16 signifies His reliance on God for provision and acknowledges that all blessings come from Him. It emphasizes the importance of prayer and gratitude before taking action.
How does Luke 9:16 illustrate the concept of community?
In Luke 9:16, Jesus gives the multiplied food to His disciples to distribute, showing that everyone has a role in serving others. This act emphasizes the importance of working together to meet the needs of the community.
What does the miracle in Luke 9:16 teach about faith?
The miracle in Luke 9:16 teaches that faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes, as Jesus took a small amount of food and multiplied it to feed thousands. It encourages believers to trust God with their limited resources.
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