Mark 6:39

39 Then he ordered all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.

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 But he answered them, "Give them something to eat, yourselves!" They replied, "We are to go and spend thousands on bread, and give it to them to eat?"

38 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and check." When they had found out, they said, "Five. And two fish."

39 Then he ordered all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.

40 They sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.

41 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up toward heaven, made a b'rakhah. Next he broke up the loaves and began giving them to the talmidim to distribute. He also divided up the two fish among them all.