Paragraph 9:12–13a

9:12a

As the day neared its end: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as As the day neared its end refers to the time around sunset, when people would normally eat their evening meal. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Toward the end of the day (God’s Word)
-or-
When the sun was beginning to set (Good News Translation)

the Twelve: The phrase the Twelve refers to the twelve apostles whom Jesus had chosen. See the note on 9:1a.

came to Jesus: In this context, the words came to Jesus mean that the apostles approached Jesus to speak to him. The apostles were already with Jesus. They were probably sitting or standing close to Jesus as he taught. They did not come to him from a distance.

Some other ways to translate this are:

his apostles came ⌊near⌋ to him
-or-
his apostles approached him

9:12b

Dismiss the crowd: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Dismiss the crowd is in the form of a command. The disciples were suggesting what they thought was a reasonable thing to do. They were not speaking disrespectfully to Jesus. You should phrase this suggestion in a polite way in your culture. Some other ways to do this in English are:

Please send the many people away
-or-
We suggest that you send the crowds away

Dismiss: The word Dismiss in this context refers to telling the crowd that it was time for them to go home. Be careful not to translate this in a way that sounds rude. Some other ways to translate this are:

release
-or-
advise (them) to go

9:12c

to the surrounding villages and countryside: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as countryside can also be translated as “farms.” It refers to places where a small group of people lived and where there was food. Some other ways to translate the phrase the surrounding villages and countryside are:

the villages and farms around here (Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation)
-or-
the nearby villages and farms (New Living Translation (2004))

9:12d

for lodging and provisions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for lodging and provisions indicates that the disciples wanted the crowds to buy or be given some food and shelter for the night. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

so that they can find some food and a place to stay (God’s Word)
-or-
They need to get something to eat and find a place to sleep overnight.

9:12e

For we are in a desolate place here: The clause For we are in a desolate place here gives the reason for the command in 9:12b–c. See the General Comment on 9:12b–e below for a way to reorder these clauses.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a desolate place refers to a place where few people lived. This place was some distance away from villages or farms where the people could obtain food and a place to sleep for the night. See also the note on 4:42a. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

No one lives around here (God’s Word)
-or-
There is nothing to eat here in this remote place (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 9:12b–e

In 9:12e the disciples gave the reason for their suggestion in 9:12b–d. In some languages it may be more natural to give the reason before the suggestion. For example:

12eNo one lives in this area. 12bSo it may be a good time to let the crowds leave. 12cThen they can go to the nearby villages and farms 12dso they can buy something to eat and find a place to stay for the night.

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