Mark 6:39

39 Then he ordered all of them 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 Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Should we go and spend about a year's wages on bread to feed them?"

38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they told him, "Five loaves of bread and two fish."

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

40 They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

41 After he took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart and kept giving them to the disciples to give to the people. He also gave pieces of the two fish to everyone.