Matthew 14:16

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

 

But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:16

 

“And Jesus, He said to them, ‘They have no need to depart. You, you give, them to eat’” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, the disciples came to Jesus, noting the remoteness of the area and the late hour, imploring Him to send the people away so they could buy food. In response to that, it now says, “And Jesus, He said to them, ‘They have no need to depart.’”

 

Although each gospel narrative stands on its own, it is still interesting to see the fuller conversation. Mark’s gospel omits the words “They have no need to depart,” but it adds in the words, “And they said to Him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?’” Luke likewise leaves out this first clause and omits the additional words of Mark. John’s narrative says –

 

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ 6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7 Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.’” John 6:5-7

 

 Each account is from the writer’s own perspective, and yet, they can be harmoniously woven together. In Matthew, Jesus continues, saying emphatically, “You, you give, them to eat.”

 

One can see the emphasis from Jesus returned to the disciples based on their words, emphatically highlighted by the remoteness of the area –

 

*“Desolate, it is, this place, and the hour, it passed already. You dismiss the crowds that, having departed into the villages, they should buy themselves food.”

 

*“They have no need to depart. You, you give, them to eat”

 

Jesus is providing instruction in who He is and what He is capable of, and He is doing it in a manner that has astonished the minds of His people for two millennia. These are His disciples, and they have been called to accomplish an impossible task. Despite this, the mass feeding will take place, exactly as Jesus directs.

 

Life application: The miracle of feeding this multitude is something that the Bible asks us to believe at face value. We are not to look for some behind-the-scenes finagling on the part of the disciples or Jesus. In other words, there wasn’t a convoy of trucks just on the other side of the hill, secretly ready to deliver food to feed the multitudes.

 

Rather, God provided the food for the people just as He did with the manna in the wilderness for forty years. It was a true miracle that is to be accepted as such. God continues to perform the miraculous in ways we may not perceive or understand, even to this day. These are done in order to suit His purposes.

 

Unfortunately, too often, people claim the miraculous when what occurred had nothing to do with God’s providing a miracle. There are key issues we should look for to determine if something is truly miraculous.

 

One is to ask if the matter brought glory to God. That is the first and key point. However, such cannot be a miracle that supposedly glorifies God but which doesn’t glorify Jesus. There are innumerable claims of the miraculous in Catholicism, which supposedly highlight Mary or some other figure. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions claim miracles all the time. Do a general search on YouTube and you’ll see this.

 

Likewise, claims of the miraculous come from Mormonism and other false cults that fall under the umbrella of “Christian” denominations. If biblical Christianity is true, these miracles cannot be real, God-directed miracles. Paul speaks of false gospels, false prophets, false brethren, and the working of Satan, which includes power, signs, and lying wonders.

 

Therefore, not everything that appears miraculous is. In fact, the large preponderance of so-called miracles in the world is nothing but chance events, false claims, or active workings of Satan. As you read the Bible, evaluate the miracles in it and consider why they are recorded.

 

They will always be there to glorify God and to validate His workings in and among His people or for their instruction. Have discernment, and don’t trust anything simply because it is presented by someone who claims to be Christian. You will find that almost every supposed claim of divine intervention, be it dreams, tongues, appearances, or other supposed miraculous events, is simply hogwash.

 

The Bible is written. It testifies to Jesus and His workings. Do you really need more to edify your walk before the Lord? Have faith in what God has done. If He does more in your life, be grateful that His hand was upon you for whatever need you had, be it healing, financial help, or a moment of encouragement that you alone share with Him and that builds you up as His child.

 

Lord God, help us to have discernment and not to get caught up in things that are not helpful to our relationship with You. There are way too many distractions in this life that are neither edifying nor healthy. Keep us from such things, O God. Amen.