New Testament
Matthew 14:19
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He told the crowds to sit down on the grass. Then he took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish, looked up toward heaven, and gave thanks. He broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they distributed it to the crowds.
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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.
What Matthew 14:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus demonstrates his authority and compassion by instructing the crowd to sit down, creating an atmosphere of order and anticipation. He takes the five loaves of bread and two fish, looks up to heaven, and gives thanks, showing gratitude before performing a miracle. This act of blessing signifies the importance of acknowledging God’s provision. After breaking the bread, he gives it to his disciples, who then distribute it to the people. This moment highlights not only Jesus' miraculous ability to feed thousands with limited resources but also the role of his disciples in serving others. The act of sharing food symbolizes community and the importance of working together to meet needs. This passage encourages believers to trust in God’s provision and to be willing to share what they have with others, no matter how small it may seem.
How to apply Matthew 14:19 to your life
This verse encourages us to be thankful for what we have, no matter how little it may seem. It reminds us to share our resources with others and trust that God can multiply our efforts to meet the needs of those around us.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Feeding the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13–21)
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Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
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Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 14:19 mean?
Matthew 14:19 describes Jesus instructing the crowd to sit down before he performs a miracle of feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish. It emphasizes his authority, gratitude to God, and the importance of sharing resources.
What is the significance of Jesus looking up to heaven in Matthew 14:19?
In Matthew 14:19, Jesus looking up to heaven signifies his acknowledgment of God's provision and his gratitude before performing the miracle. This act highlights the importance of giving thanks for what we have.
What does the act of breaking bread in Matthew 14:19 symbolize?
The act of breaking bread in Matthew 14:19 symbolizes sharing and community. It shows how Jesus provided for the needs of the people and encourages believers to share their resources with others.
How can we apply Matthew 14:19 in our lives today?
We can apply Matthew 14:19 by being thankful for what we have, no matter how small, and by sharing our resources with others. It encourages us to trust that God can multiply our efforts to help those in need.
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