Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:12

"And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place." — Luke 9:12 (ASV)

Each of the Synoptics records both the disciples’ unimaginative suggestion that the crowds be sent away to find their own food and Jesus’ response, “You give them something to eat,” putting the responsibility back on them. The loaves were a basic food, often eaten with fish from the Sea of Galilee.