Matthew 14:15
Let us examine carefully what “dismiss them” (Matthew 14:15) means. Some of those following Christ were asking to be released from the wicked spirits holding them; others were seeking the putting away of other illnesses. So the disciples, knowing that with a mere nod he accomplishes what the suffering desire, say “dismiss them” — not themselves growing weary as if the time had passed, but holding to love for the crowds, already practicing pastoral skill, as it were, and beginning to care for peoples.
Greek
Τί τὸ ἀπόλυσόν ἐστιν, ἐξετάσωμεν ἀκριβῶς. οἱ μὲν τῶν ἀκολου θούντων τῷ Χριστῷ πονηρῶν πνευμάτων συνεχόντων αὐτοὺς ἀπαλλάττε σθαι παρεκάλουν, οἱ δὲ καὶ ἑτέρων ἀρρωστημάτων ἐζήτουν ἀπόθεσιν. ὡς οὖν εἰδότες οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι κατανεύσας μόνον ἀποπεραίνει τοῖς κάμ νουσι τὸ ποθούμενον, ἀπόλυσον αὐτούς φασιν, οὐκ αὐτοὶ μᾶλλον ἀκη διῶντες ὡς παρακμάσαντος τοῦ καιροῦ, ἀλλὰ τῆς εἰς τοὺς ὄχλους ἀγάπης ἐχόμενοι καὶ οἷον μελετῶντες ἤδη τὴν ποιμαντικὴν ἐπιστήμην καὶ τοῦ κήδεσθαι λαῶν ἀρχόμενοι.