15:33a

The disciples replied: The word replied introduces the disciples’ response to what Jesus had just said. Their response is a question.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The disciples asked him (Good News Translation)
-or-
the disciples said to him (English Standard Version)

15:33b

Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses an objection. The disciples did not agree with Jesus’ idea. They wanted him to send the people home. They implied that it would be impossible to find enough food in that remote place to feed that large crowd.

Here are some other ways to translate this objection:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Where will we find enough food in this desert to feed this crowd? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

There is certainly no place here in the wilderness where we could find enough food to feed so many people!

• As a statement and a rhetorical question. For example:

This place is like a desert. Where can we find enough food to feed such a crowd? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
How can we get enough bread to feed all these people? We are far away from any town. (New Century Version)

Translate this objection in a way that is natural in your language.

in this desolate place: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as desolate place is literally “the desert.” In this context, it refers to an area where no one lived. It was a place that was far from any town or village.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

here in the wilderness (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in this place where no one lives (God’s Word)

bread: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bread is literally “loaves.” It refers to loaves of bread. These loaves were pieces or units of bread, probably cooked in a round shape like buns or rolls. Bread was the main food of the Jewish people.

Here it is possible to use the more general word “food.” For example:

food (Contemporary English Version)

However, you may need to use a more specific term for “bread” in 15:34a and 15:36.

In Matthew, this word first occurs in 4:3c. It also occurs in 14:17. See how you translated this word there.

to feed such a large crowd: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to feed can also mean “to satisfy, fill.” This same word also occurs in 15:37a where it is translated as “satisfied.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to satisfy such a large crowd (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
to feed all these people (New Century Version)

-or-

to ⌊give⌋ such a crowd ⌊enough food⌋ to satisfy them

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