Section 9:10–17

Jesus did a miracle to feed more than five thousand people

Jesus taught the people about the kingdom of God and he healed many sick people. Then he fed all of the people by multiplying a small amount of bread and fish. This is the only miracle besides Jesus’ resurrection that all four Gospels record.

Some other headings for this section are:

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (New International Version)
-or-
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (NET Bible)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, and John 6:1–14.

Paragraph 9:10–11

9:10a

Then the apostles returned: Jesus’ twelve apostles came back from their trip through the villages, where they had preached and healed people. See 9:1–6. In some languages it may be necessary to say where they returned from and/or to:

When the apostles returned ⌊from their journey/tour⌋
-or-
When the apostles ⌊had completed their trip, they⌋ came back ⌊to Jesus⌋

the apostles: The Greek word that English versions translate as apostles means “those who are sent.” Here it refers to the people whom Jesus sent with authority to accomplish the mission that he gave them in 9:1–2.

In 9:1a these apostles are called “the Twelve.” In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit so that your readers know that it is the same group of people. For example:

the twelve apostles (New Century Version)

Some ways to translate apostles are:

• Translate the meaning of the Greek word apostles. For example:

people sent ⌊to speak/act for him⌋
-or-

⌊special⌋ messengers
-or-
representatives
-or-
men with authority from Jesus

• Indicate the role or function of apostles. For example:

chief leaders ⌊of Jesus’ work⌋
-or-
people who were in charge ⌊of Jesus’ work⌋

Be careful to choose different terms for “apostles,” “angels,” “elders,” and “prophets.”

See also apostle in the Glossary.

and reported to Jesus all that they had done: The apostles told Jesus about what they had done on their preaching tour of the villages.

9:10b

Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida: This part of the verse indicates that Jesus took the disciples to a place where he and they could be alone together. The phrase away privately means “alone, apart from others.” Jesus wanted to be with his apostles away from the many other people who followed him.

Some other ways to translate it are:

he led them to a town called Bethsaida where they could be alone together
-or-
Then Jesus took them with him to a town called Bethsaida, where they could be alone together. (New Century Version)

to a town called Bethsaida: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to in this context probably means “toward.” The context implies that Jesus and his disciples remained in a quiet, deserted place some distance from the town. A way to express this meaning is:

toward the town of Bethsaida (New Living Translation (2004))

Bethsaida: Bethsaida was a town on the northeast shore of Lake Galilee.

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