Luke 9:14

14 For they were about five thousand men. And He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down by fifties in a company."

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 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve and said unto Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about and lodge and get victuals, for we are here in a desert place.

13 But He said unto them, "Give ye them to eat." And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fishes, unless we should go and buy meat for all these people."

14 For they were about five thousand men. And He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down by fifties in a company."

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to Heaven, He blessed them and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.