Matthew 15:35

35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground;

Matthew 15:35 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:35

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
] Not regarding the smallness of the provisions, nor any further consulting with his disciples; but knowing his own power to increase this food, and determining to feed the multitude before he dismissed them, in an authoritative way ordered them to sit down upon the ground in rows, that they might be the better seen, and served.

Matthew 15:35 In-Context

33 The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?"

34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground;

36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "crowd"
• [b] Lit "recline"