Mark 6:40

40 They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

Mark 6:40 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:40

And they sat down in ranks
Or "beds": in such form as little beds are placed in a garden, or as rows of vines in a vineyard, in which form the scholars of the wise men sat in their schools: it is said ^F7,

``R. Eliezer ben Azariah expounded before the wise men in the vineyard (i.e. the university) of Jabneh: though was there a vineyard there? but these are the disciples of the wise men, who are made, or placed, (twrwv twrwv) , "rows, rows", or "in ranks", as a vineyard.''

By hundreds, and by fifties;
that is, an hundred in "each" bed, or row, and fifty in "each" bed, or row, as the word (ana) , signifies: each distinct bed, or row, had either a hundred, or fifty in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 T. Hieros. Beraeot, fol. 7. 4. Vid. Gloss. in T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 42. 2.

Mark 6:40 In-Context

38 He said to them, "How much bread do you have? Take a look." After checking, they said, "Five loaves of bread and two fish."

39 He directed the disciples to seat all the people in groups as though they were having a banquet on the green grass.

40 They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

42 Everyone ate until they were full.