Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 14:15

"And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food." — Matthew 14:15 (ASV)

It was now late afternoon. On the face of it, the conversation between Jesus and his disciples is straightforward. They wanted him to send the crowds to the small, unwalled hamlets for food. Jesus’ words “you give them something to eat” were not easy to understand; but whatever they meant, the disciples did not understand them. Their answer in v.17 not only reveals limited vision but also an approach to the problem betraying a lack of both understanding and faith.