Matthew 14:15

ὀψίας γενομένης : might mean sunset as in Matthew 8:16, but from the nature of the case must mean afternoon from 3 to 6, the first of the “two evenings”. ἔρημος, comparatively uninhabited, no towns near. ἡ ὥρα ἤδη παρῆλθεν : the meaning not clear. Mk. has: ἤδη ὥρας πολλῆς = already the hour is advanced. Various suggestions have been made: eating time (Grot.), healing and teaching time (Fritzsche), daytime (Meyer) is past. Weiss, with most probability, takes ὥρα = time for sending them away to get food. ἀπόλυσον : though late for the purpose, not too late; dismiss them forthwith.