Mark 6:40

40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in 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 But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."

39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.

40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.

41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.

42 So they all ate and were filled.