Mark 6:40

40 So they sat down in ranks 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 And He asked them, "How many loaves do you have? Go look." When they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."

39 Then He instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

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

41 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to His disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

42 Everyone ate and was filled.