Audio Bible
Context The Feeding of the Five Thousand… 38“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 39ThenJesus directedthemto have the people sitin groupsonthegreengrass.40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.…
Cross References Matthew 14:19And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
Luke 9:14-15(There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated.
John 6:10“Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
Psalm 23:2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Ezekiel 34:14-15I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. / I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.
2 Kings 4:42-44Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.
Matthew 15:35-36And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
John 10:9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
Acts 2:46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,
1 Corinthians 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Exodus 18:21-25Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. / Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. / If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.” ...
Numbers 11:4-6Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”
Isaiah 40:11He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
Jeremiah 31:10Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.
1 Samuel 9:22-24Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. / And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.” / So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.
Treasury of Scripture And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies on the green grass. 1 Kings 10:5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. Esther 1:5,6 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; … Matthew 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. Jump to Previous CommandedCompaniesDirectedGrassGreenGroupsJesusOrderedReclineSeatedSitJump to Next CommandedCompaniesDirectedGrassGreenGroupsJesusOrderedReclineSeatedSitMark 6 1.Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.7.He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits.14.Various opinions of Jesus.16.John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried.30.The apostles return from preaching.34.The miracle of five loaves and two fishes.45.Jesus walks on the sea;53.and heals all who touch him.Then Jesus directed themThis phrase highlights Jesus' role as a leader and shepherd. In the context of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus takes charge, demonstrating His authority and compassion. This directive is a precursor to the miracle, showing His intention to provide for the people's needs. It reflects the order and structure that Jesus often brings to situations, reminiscent of God’s orderly creation in Genesis. to have the people sit
The act of sitting indicates preparation for receiving something, in this case, a meal. It also suggests a posture of rest and expectation. In Jewish culture, sitting was a common posture for teaching, indicating that the people were about to receive not just physical nourishment but also spiritual teaching. This mirrors the way Jesus often taught His disciples and the crowds. in groups
Organizing the people into groups suggests a sense of community and order. This method of organization would facilitate the distribution of food, ensuring that everyone was served. It reflects the communal nature of the early church as seen inActs 2:42-47, where believers shared everything in common. This grouping also foreshadows the structure of the church, where believers gather in communities. on the green grass
The mention of green grass is significant, indicating the time of year as spring, around Passover. This detail connects toPsalm 23:2, where the Good Shepherd makes His sheep lie down in green pastures, symbolizing provision and peace. The lush grass also contrasts with the wilderness setting, emphasizing the miraculous provision in a place where resources were scarce. This imagery reinforces Jesus as the Shepherd who provides for His flock. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who performs the miracle of feeding the 5,000. His instructions to have the people sit in groups demonstrate His organizational approach and care for the crowd. 2. The DisciplesThey are the ones who receive Jesus' instructions and facilitate the seating of the crowd. Their role is crucial in the execution of Jesus' plan. 3. The CrowdComprising 5,000 men, not counting women and children, the crowd represents those who are in need of physical sustenance and spiritual teaching. 4. The Green GrassThis detail highlights the setting of the miracle, suggesting a place of provision and rest, reminiscent of Psalm 23's imagery of the Lord as a shepherd leading to green pastures. 5. The Miracle of Feeding the 5,000This event is one of Jesus' most well-known miracles, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Teaching Points Divine Order and ProvisionJesus' instruction to sit in groups shows the importance of order in receiving God's provision. In our lives, we should seek to create order to better receive and appreciate God's blessings. Community and FellowshipThe grouping of the crowd highlights the value of community. As believers, we are called to gather together, support one another, and share in God's provision. Trust in Jesus' InstructionsThe disciples' obedience to Jesus' seemingly simple command led to a miraculous outcome. We should trust and follow Jesus' guidance, even when it seems mundane or insignificant. God's Abundant ProvisionThe setting on green grass symbolizes abundance and rest. We can trust that God will provide for our needs in His perfect timing and setting. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Mark 6
In Matthew 14:16–20, how might the crowd’s size be exaggerated or miscounted, considering ancient record-keeping?
Is Jesus considered a prophet?
Did Herod think that Jesus was John the Baptist? Yes (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:16) No (Luke 9:9)
In Mark 6:3, how could ordinary villagers dismiss Jesus as merely a carpenter's son if He was performing extraordinary deeds elsewhere?(39) By companies.--The Greek expresses the distributive force of the English by simple repetition, "companies and companies." The "green grass" may be noted as an example of St. Mark's vividness, and serves as an indirect note of time pointing to the same season as that specified by St. John, sc., a little before the Passover. (Comp. John 6:10.) Verse 39. - All were to sit down by companies ( συμπόσια συμπόσια) - St. Luke ( Luke 9:14) says that the companies were about fifty each ( ἀνὰ πεντήκοντα) -upon the green grass. St. John says ( John 6:10) that "there was much grass in the place." This indicates the time of the year. The grass was growing, and it was green. It would not be green in that district after April. Thus St. Mark's account of the state of the grass at that time (an account evidently repeated from an eye-witness) coincides with the account of St. John, who says that "the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was at hand" ( John 6:4).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek ThenΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[Jesus] directedἐπέταξεν(epetaxen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2004:To give order, command, charge. From epi and tasso; to arrange upon, i.e. Order.themαὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.to have [the people] sitἀνακλῖναι(anaklinai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 347:To lay upon, lean against, lay down, make to recline; pass: I lie back, recline. From ana and klino; to lean back.in groupsσυμπόσια(symposia)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4849:A drinking party, festive company. Neuter of a derivative of the alternate of sumpino; a drinking-party, i.e. a room of guests.onἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.greenχλωρῷ(chlōrō)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5515:Green, pale green. From the same as Chloe; greenish, i.e. Verdant, dun-colored.grass.χόρτῳ(chortō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528:Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.
Links Mark 6:39 NIVMark 6:39 NLTMark 6:39 ESVMark 6:39 NASBMark 6:39 KJV
Mark 6:39 BibleApps.comMark 6:39 Biblia ParalelaMark 6:39 Chinese BibleMark 6:39 French BibleMark 6:39 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Mark 6:39 He commanded them that everyone should sit (Mar Mk Mr) |
