Mark 6:40

40 And they sat down in ranks *, by hundreds, and by 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 saith unto them, How many loaves have ye ? go and see . And when they knew , they say , Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks , by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed , and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42 And they did all eat , and were filled .