Mark 6:40

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

And ^{G2532} they sat down ^{G377} in ranks ^{G4237}^{G4237}, by ^{G303} hundreds ^{G1540}, and ^{G2532} by ^{G303} fifties ^{G4004}.

They sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.

So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Mark 6:40 describes a crucial moment in the narrative of Jesus feeding the five thousand, detailing the organized seating arrangement of the vast crowd before the miracle unfolds. The verse states, "And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties."

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' instruction to His disciples to have the multitude sit down upon the green grass (Mark 6:39). Jesus had just had compassion on the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34) and taught them extensively. As evening approached, the disciples suggested sending the people away to buy food, but Jesus challenged them to provide it themselves (Mark 6:37). With only five loaves and two fish available (Mark 6:38), Jesus took charge, instructing His disciples to organize the people. This meticulous arrangement set the stage for one of Jesus' most iconic miracles, the feeding of the five thousand.

Key Themes

Divine Order and Foresight: Jesus' command for the crowd to sit in specific groups reveals a divine emphasis on order and preparation. This organization was not arbitrary; it allowed for easy distribution of food and facilitated an accurate count of those fed.
Jesus' Authority: The immediate obedience of the large crowd to sit in such orderly fashion underscores Jesus' profound authority, even over logistical matters.
Preparation for Blessing: The act of sitting down in ranks signifies a posture of readiness and expectation, a necessary step before receiving the miraculous provision.
Pastoral Care: Organizing the crowd into smaller, manageable groups also demonstrates a practical form of pastoral care, ensuring everyone could be reached and served.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "ranks" is prasiai (πρασιαί). This term literally means "garden beds" or "plots," suggesting a very neat, segmented, and rectangular arrangement, much like rows in a cultivated garden. This imagery emphasizes the precision and orderliness of the seating, as if the people were arranged in distinct, verdant plots on the green grass. The specification of "hundreds, and by fifties" points to a structured, almost military or administrative, division.

Related Scriptures

The parallel account in Luke 9:14 also emphasizes the groups of fifties, while Matthew's account (Matthew 14:19) simply mentions sitting down on the grass. This organizational structure, reminiscent of ancient Israelite administrative or military divisions (compare Exodus 18:21, where Jethro advises Moses to appoint rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens), highlights Jesus' orderly approach to ministry and provision.

Practical Application

Mark 6:40 teaches us that God is a God of order, not chaos. Even in the midst of a great need and a massive crowd, Jesus demonstrated the importance of organization and intentionality. For believers today, this verse encourages us to approach tasks, especially those related to serving others or ministry, with thoughtful planning and structure. It reminds us that preparation, even in seemingly small details like seating arrangements, can be vital for the effective distribution of resources and the manifestation of God's blessings. Our obedience to divine instruction, even when the purpose isn't immediately clear, can set the stage for God to do the miraculous.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Luke 9:14

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
Luke 9:15

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