Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Bring them here to me,” he said. New Living Translation “Bring them here,” he said. English Standard Version And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Berean Standard Bible “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. Berean Literal Bible And He said, "Bring them here to Me." King James Bible He said, Bring them hither to me. New King James Version He said, “Bring them here to Me.” New American Standard Bible And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” NASB 1995 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” NASB 1977 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Legacy Standard Bible And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Amplified Bible He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Christian Standard Bible “Bring them here to me,” he said. Holman Christian Standard Bible “Bring them here to Me,” He said. American Standard Version And he said, Bring them hither to me. Contemporary English Version Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, English Revised Version And he said, Bring them hither to me. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jesus said, "Bring them to me." Good News Translation "Then bring them here to me," Jesus said. International Standard Version He said, "Bring them to me." NET Bible "Bring them here to me," he replied. New Heart English Bible So he said, "Bring them here to me." Webster's Bible Translation He said, Bring them hither to me. Weymouth New Testament "Bring them here to me," He said, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. World English Bible He said, “Bring them here to me.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He said, “Bring them to Me here.” Berean Literal Bible And He said, "Bring them here to Me." Young's Literal Translation And he said, 'Bring ye them to me hither.' Smith's Literal Translation And he said, Bring them here to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe said to them: Bring them hither to me. Catholic Public Domain Version He said to them, “Bring them here to me.” New American Bible Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” New Revised Standard Version And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus said to them, Bring them here to me. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But Yeshua said to them, “Bring them here to me.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentHe said: Bring them hither to me. Godbey New Testament And He said, Haweis New Testament Then he said, Bring them hither to me. Mace New Testament bring them hither, said he. Weymouth New Testament "Bring them here to me," He said, Worrell New Testament And He said, Worsley New Testament and He said, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Feeding of the Five Thousand…17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. 19And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.… Cross References John 6:9-11 “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. Mark 6:38-41 “Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ... Luke 9:13-16 But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ... 2 Kings 4:42-44 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. John 6:1-14 After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias). / A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick. / Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples. ... Mark 8:6-8 And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. / They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well. / The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Matthew 15:34-36 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Exodus 16:4-15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” / So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, ... John 21:9-13 When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. / Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” / So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. ... 1 Kings 17:12-16 But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ... Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Acts 27:35 After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. Psalm 78:19-25 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” / Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, ... Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. Treasury of Scripture He said, Bring them here to me. Jump to Previous Hither SaidJump to Next Hither SaidMatthew 14 1. Herod's opinion of Jesus.3. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded. 13. Jesus departs into a solitary place, 15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes. 22. He walks on the sea to his disciples; 34. and landing at Gennesaret, 35. heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment. Bring them here to Me, In this passage, Jesus is responding to the disciples' concern about feeding the large crowd. The phrase "Bring them here to Me" signifies Jesus' invitation to involve Him in the situation. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God invites His people to bring their needs and resources to Him, trusting in His provision. The act of bringing the loaves and fish to Jesus symbolizes surrender and faith, acknowledging that human resources are insufficient without divine intervention. This mirrors the Old Testament instances where God provided for His people, such as manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Jesus said. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is about to perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand. His command to "bring them here to Me" demonstrates His authority and readiness to provide. 2. The Disciples They are the ones who bring the loaves and fish to Jesus. Their role is crucial as they act in obedience to Jesus' command, setting the stage for the miracle. 3. The Crowd A large group of people who have followed Jesus, eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles. They are the recipients of the miracle that Jesus is about to perform. 4. The Loaves and Fish The small amount of food available, which Jesus uses to feed the multitude. This symbolizes the insufficiency of human resources contrasted with divine provision. 5. The Wilderness The setting of this event, emphasizing the isolation and the lack of resources, which highlights the miraculous nature of the provision. Teaching Points Divine ProvisionJesus' command to bring the loaves and fish to Him illustrates that when we bring our limited resources to God, He can multiply them beyond our imagination. Obedience and Faith The disciples' willingness to bring the meager resources to Jesus demonstrates faith and obedience, which are essential for witnessing God's work in our lives. God's Sufficiency The setting in the wilderness underscores that God's provision is not limited by our circumstances. He is sufficient in all situations. Participation in Miracles The disciples' role in distributing the food shows that God often involves us in His miraculous works, inviting us to be active participants in His plans. Trust in Jesus' Authority Jesus' simple command, "Bring them here to Me," calls us to trust in His authority and power to meet our needs, no matter how impossible the situation may seem. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 14:18?2. How does Matthew 14:18 demonstrate Jesus' authority over physical needs? 3. What can we learn about faith from Jesus' command, "Bring them here to Me"? 4. How does Matthew 14:18 connect to God's provision in Exodus 16:4? 5. How can we apply Jesus' example of resourcefulness in our daily challenges? 6. In what ways can we trust Jesus with our limited resources today? 7. How does Matthew 14:18 demonstrate Jesus' authority over nature? 8. What is the significance of Jesus saying, "Bring them here to Me" in Matthew 14:18? 9. How does Matthew 14:18 reflect the theme of divine provision? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 14? 11. What does 'not under the law' mean for Christians? 12. In Matthew 14:15-21, how can five loaves and two fish realistically feed thousands of people? 13. In Matthew 14:16-20, how might the crowd's size be exaggerated or miscounted, considering ancient record-keeping? 14. Should the little children come to me? What Does Matthew 14:18 Mean BringJesus’ first word is an action call. In the face of a crowd of more than five thousand (Matthew 14:21), He does not tell the disciples to invent a solution; He tells them to take what they already have and place it under His authority. • The command demands faith-filled obedience, just as Elijah required the widow to “first make me a small cake” before her flour and oil multiplied (1 Kings 17:13-16). • It affirms God’s pattern of using what seems insufficient—Gideon’s three hundred men (Judges 7:7), Elisha’s twenty barley loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44), the widow’s two copper coins (Mark 12:41-44). • It reminds believers that everything we steward ultimately belongs to the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:14). When He says “Bring,” we respond without reservation. them here The resources—and the need—must be relocated into Jesus’ immediate presence. • “Here” indicates nearness. Only when the loaves and fish leave the disciples’ hands and stand before Christ can His power touch them. Compare the leper who came and knelt “before Him” (Matthew 8:2) and the parents who carried their children so that He might lay hands on them (Mark 10:13-16). • Moving the problem to Jesus replaces anxiety with expectancy, echoing the invitation, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). • James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Physical proximity in the narrative underscores spiritual closeness for the believer. to Me The spotlight shifts from the magnitude of the crowd to the sufficiency of the Savior. • Jesus Himself is the destination; provision flows from His person. As He later declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger” (John 6:35). • “To Me” refutes the temptation to rely on human ingenuity. The disciples might have dispersed the crowd (Matthew 14:15), yet Christ insists the solution rests in Him alone, echoing Proverbs 3:5-6. • The phrase showcases His divine authority over creation, foreshadowing that “in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Resources, needs, and people find completion only when brought to Jesus. Jesus said The miracle is initiated not by human effort but by the spoken word of the Son of God. • Throughout Scripture, divine speech precedes divine action—“And God said… and it was so” (Genesis 1:3-31); “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). • His command carries the same authority later displayed when He calms the storm with “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39) and calls Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43). • Because “the word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:25), believers can trust every directive He gives, whether to ancient disciples or to us through Scripture today. summary Matthew 14:18 reveals a four-fold pattern for faith. Christ commands us to bring what we possess, relocate it into His presence, center everything on Him, and heed His authoritative word. The verse underscores that literal obedience unlocks supernatural provision, affirming Jesus as the all-sufficient Lord who still multiplies surrendered resources for the good of many and the glory of God. Verse 18. - Matthew only. He said, Bring them hither to me (φέρετε μοι ῶδε αὐτούς). This gives the sense, but still more is implied. He takes up their ῶδε. "Yes," he says, "it is possible to feed them where we are, and especially where I am. For there is not the poverty of supply here that you think there is." Observe that for the disciples to bring them "here" was in itself an act of faith.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek “BringΦέρετέ (Pherete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 5342: To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb. them αὐτούς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. here ὧδε (hōde) Adverb Strong's 5602: From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither. to Me,” μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [Jesus] said. εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. 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