Mark 6:39

39 And he ordered them all to recline 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 [and] said to them, "You give them [something] to eat." And they said to him, "Should we go [and] purchase bread for two hundred denarii and give [it] to them to eat?"

38 And he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go look!" And [when they] found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."

39 And he ordered them all to recline in groups on the green grass.

40 And they reclined in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.

41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish [and] looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves and gave [them] to his disciples so that they could set [them] before them. And he distributed the two fish to [them] all.