Luke 9:14

14 (For there were about five thousand men.) So he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."

Luke 9:14 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:14

For they were about five thousand men
Beside women and children, ( Matthew 14:21 ) ,

and he said to his disciples, make them to sit down by fifties
in a company;
and by hundreds also; some companies had a hundred apiece in them, and others fifty; and which was done partly, for the more easy numbering of them, and partly and chiefly for the more convenient distribution of food to them; (See Gill on Mark 6:39). (See Gill on Mark 6:40).

Luke 9:14 In-Context

12 Now the day began to be far spent, and the twelve came up [and] said to him, "Send away the crowd so that they can go into the surrounding villages and farms to obtain lodging and find provisions, because we are here in a desolate place.

13 But he said to them, "You give them [something] to eat!" And they said, "{We have no} more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go [and] purchase food for all these people."

14 (For there were about five thousand men.) So he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."

15 And they did so, and had [them] all sit down.

16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, [and] looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them and began giving [them] to the disciples to set before the crowd.