Mark 6:39

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies * upon 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 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat . And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat ?

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye ? go and see . And when they knew , they say , Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks , by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed , and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.