Mark 6:39

39 And he commanded to them, that they should make all men sit to meat by companies, on [the] green hay [+upon green hay/on the green hay].

Mark 6:39 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:39

And he commanded them to make all sit down
Christ ordered his disciples, without any more ado, to cause the whole multitude, men, women, and children, to sit, or lie down, as they used to do at table when about to take a meal: and as they had no table before them, nor beds, or couches to sit, or lie down upon, he directed them to place them

by companies upon the green grass;
that there might be some order among them, as at a meal; and that their number might be the more easily known; and that all of them might more plainly see the miracle that was to be wrought: and the provision be more orderly distributed to them.

Mark 6:39 In-Context

37 And he answered, and said to them, Give ye them to eat [Give ye to them for to eat]. And they said to him, Go we, and buy we loaves with two hundred pence, and we shall give them [for] to eat.

38 And he saith to them, How many loaves have ye? Go ye, and see. And when they had known, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded to them, that they should make all men sit to meat by companies, on [the] green hay [+upon green hay/on the green hay].

40 And they sat down by parts [And they sat down by parties], by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves, and two fishes, he beheld into heaven, and blessed, and brake [the] loaves, and gave to his disciples, that they should set before them. And he parted two fishes to all;