Mark 6:40

40 And they sat down by parts [And they sat down by parties], by hundreds, and by fifties.

Mark 6:40 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:40

And they sat down in ranks
Or "beds": in such form as little beds are placed in a garden, or as rows of vines in a vineyard, in which form the scholars of the wise men sat in their schools: it is said ^F7,

``R. Eliezer ben Azariah expounded before the wise men in the vineyard (i.e. the university) of Jabneh: though was there a vineyard there? but these are the disciples of the wise men, who are made, or placed, (twrwv twrwv) , "rows, rows", or "in ranks", as a vineyard.''

By hundreds, and by fifties;
that is, an hundred in "each" bed, or row, and fifty in "each" bed, or row, as the word (ana) , signifies: each distinct bed, or row, had either a hundred, or fifty in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 T. Hieros. Beraeot, fol. 7. 4. Vid. Gloss. in T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 42. 2.

Mark 6:40 In-Context

38 And he saith to them, How many loaves have ye? Go ye, and see. And when they had known, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded to them, that they should make all men sit to meat by companies, on [the] green hay [+upon green hay/on the green hay].

40 And they sat down by parts [And they sat down by parties], by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves, and two fishes, he beheld into heaven, and blessed, and brake [the] loaves, and gave to his disciples, that they should set before them. And he parted two fishes to all;

42 and all ate, and were fulfilled. [and all men ate, and were filled.]