Matthew 15:33

Verse

The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And the disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude?

And the disciples say to him, How may we get enough bread in a waste place, to give food to such a number of people?

And the disciples say unto him: Whence then should we have so many loaves in the desert, as to fill so great a multitude?

Free Bible Version

“Where could we find enough bread here in this desert to feed such a huge crowd?” the disciples responded.

Geneva Bible 1599

And his disciples saide vnto him, Whence should we get so much bread in the wildernes, as should suffice so great a multitude!

King James (Authorized) Version

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

One Unity Resource Bible

The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”

Translation for Translators

We disciples said to him, “In this place where nobody lives, ◄we cannot possibly obtain enough food to feed such a large crowd!/how can we obtain a large enough amount of food to feed such a large crowd?► [RHQ]”

Unlocked Literal Bible

The disciples said to him, “Where can we get enough loaves of bread in such a deserted place to satisfy so large a crowd?”

Noah Webster Bible

And his disciples say to him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to satisfy so great a multitude?

World English Bible

The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”

Young's Literal Translation

And his disciples say to him, 'Whence to us, in a wilderness, so many loaves, as to fill so great a multitude?'

Context

The Feeding of the Four Thousand

³²Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”³³The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?”

Summary

In this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples after they expressed concern about how to feed a large crowd of people who had been following Him. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them about faith and reliance on God's provision. By miraculously multiplying a few loaves of bread and fish to feed the multitude, Jesus demonstrates His power and ability to meet the needs of His followers abundantly. This event serves as a reminder that God is able to provide for His people beyond what they can imagine, reinforcing the importance of trusting in His faithfulness.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And his disciples said unto him,.... The former miracle of feeding five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes, being quite out of their thoughts, they reply, whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? The question is big with objections, and is put with some vehemency and astonishment: the people to be led were a multitude, a great multitude, a very great multitude, and these too had had but little, or no food, for a great while; and therefore would require the more to fill and satisfy them; and besides, it was a wilderness where they were, and where no provisions were to be had; and if they could have been got for money, they had not stock enough to purchase such a large number of loaves, as were necessary to feed so great a company with.