New International VersionJesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
New Living Translation“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
English Standard VersionJesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
Berean Standard Bible“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.
Berean Literal BibleJesus said, "Make the men to recline." Now there was much grass in the place; therefore the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
King James BibleAnd Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
New King James VersionThen Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
New American Standard BibleJesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
NASB 1995Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
NASB 1977Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Legacy Standard BibleJesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Amplified BibleJesus said, “Have the people sit down [to eat].” Now [the ground] there was [covered with] an abundance of grass, so the men sat down, about 5,000 in number.
Christian Standard BibleJesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place; so they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000.
American Standard VersionJesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Contemporary English VersionThe ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to tell everyone to sit down. About 5,000 men were in the crowd.
English Revised VersionJesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus said, "Have the people sit down." The people had plenty of grass to sit on. (There were about 5,000 men in the crowd.)
Good News Translation"Make the people sit down," Jesus told them. (There was a lot of grass there.) So all the people sat down; there were about five thousand men.
International Standard VersionJesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was plenty of grass in that area, so they sat down, numbering about 5,000 men.
NET BibleJesus said, "Have the people sit down." (Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
New Heart English BibleJesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Jesus said, Make the men sit down. (Now there was much grass in the place.) So the men sat down in number about five thousand.
Weymouth New Testament"Make the people sit down," said Jesus. The ground was covered with thick grass; so they sat down, the adult men numbering about 5,000. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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.
World English BibleJesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jesus said, “Make the men to sit down”; and there was much grass in the place, the men then sat down, in number, as it were, five thousand,
Berean Literal BibleJesus said, "Make the men to recline." Now there was much grass in the place; therefore the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Young's Literal Translation And Jesus said, 'Make the men to sit down;' and there was much grass in the place, the men then sat down, in number, as it were, five thousand,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jesus said, Make the men recline. And there was much grass in the place. Then the men reclined, the number about five thousand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen Jesus said, “Have the men sit down to eat.” Now, there was much grass in that place. And so the men, in number about five thousand, sat down to eat.
New American BibleJesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
New Revised Standard VersionJesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus said to them, Make all the men sit down. There was much grass in that place. So the males sat down, five thousand in number.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishYeshua said to them: “Have all the people be seated.” And there was much grass in that place and they were seated, the number of men being five thousand. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut Jesus said: Make die men recline. Now, there was much grass in the place. So the men reclined, in number about five thousand.
Godbey New TestamentAnd Jesus said, Make the people sit down. And there was much grass in the place. However the men sat down in number about five thousand.
Haweis New Testament
Then said Jesus, Make the men sit down. For there was plenty of grass on the spot. Therefore the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Mace New Testament
but Jesus said, make the men sit down, and as there was much grass in the place, they sat down to the number of about five thousand.
Weymouth New Testament
"Make the people sit down," said Jesus. The ground was covered with thick grass; so they sat down, the adult men numbering about 5,000.
Worrell New Testament
Jesus said,"Make the men recline." Now there was much grass in the place. The men, therefore, reclined, in number about five thousand.
Worsley New Testament
And Jesus said,Make the men sit down: (now there was much grass in the place:) so the men sat downin number about five thousand.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Feeding of the Five Thousand… 9“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” 10“Havethepeoplesit down,”Jesussaid.Nowthere wasplenty ofgrassinthatplace,sothemensat down,aboutfive thousandof them.11Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.…
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.
Mark 6:39-40Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
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 2:6-7Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. / Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.
John 21:9-13When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. / Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” / So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. ...
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.
Mark 8:6And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd.
Luke 24:30While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them.
Acts 27:35After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
1 Corinthians 11:24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
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.
Exodus 16:4-5Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
Numbers 11:8-9The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.
1 Samuel 9:13As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”
2 Samuel 6:19Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. And all the people departed, each to his own home.
Treasury of Scripture And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Make. Matthew 14:18,19 He said, Bring them hither to me… Matthew 15:35,36 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground… Mark 6:39-41 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass… Now. Jump to Previous AdultCoveredFiveGrassGroundJesusNumberingPlentySatSeatedSitThickThousandJump to Next AdultCoveredFiveGrassGroundJesusNumberingPlentySatSeatedSitThickThousandJohn 6 1.Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes.15.Thereupon the people would have made him king;16.but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples;26.reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word;32.declares himself to be the bread of life to believers.66.Many disciples depart from him.68.Peter confesses him.70.Judas is a devil.“Have the people sit down,” Jesus said.This directive from Jesus demonstrates His authority and orderliness. In the context of a large crowd, organization was necessary for the miracle that was about to occur. This act of sitting down can be seen as a preparation for receiving, similar to how believers are called to be ready to receive God's blessings. The command also reflects the shepherd-like nature of Jesus, as a shepherd makes his flock lie down in green pastures ( Psalm 23:2). This phrase also highlights Jesus' role as a teacher and leader, providing for the needs of His followers. Now there was plenty of grass in that place,
The mention of grass indicates the time of year, likely spring, as grass would be abundant. This detail aligns with the Passover season mentioned earlier inJohn 6:4. The presence of grass also provides a practical setting for the crowd to sit comfortably, emphasizing God's provision in both spiritual and physical needs. The green grass can be seen as a symbol of life and abundance, reflecting the new life Jesus offers. so the men sat down,
The act of sitting down signifies readiness and expectation. In Jewish culture, sitting was a common posture for learning and receiving instruction, indicating that the crowd was prepared to receive what Jesus was about to provide. This also reflects a sense of community and unity among the people, as they collectively obeyed Jesus' instruction. about five thousand of them.
The number five thousand refers specifically to men, as was customary in ancient counting, which means the total number of people, including women and children, could have been much larger. This large number highlights the magnitude of the miracle that follows, demonstrating Jesus' divine power to provide abundantly. The feeding of the five thousand is one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its significance. This event foreshadows the spiritual nourishment Jesus provides, as He later declares Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is about to perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand. His command to have the people sit down demonstrates His authority and preparation for the miracle. 2. The DisciplesAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, the disciples play a crucial role in organizing the crowd and distributing the food, as seen in the surrounding context. 3. The CrowdApproximately five thousand men, not including women and children, gathered to hear Jesus teach. Their presence sets the stage for the miracle of the loaves and fishes. 4. The PlaceThe setting is a grassy area, which provides a natural seating arrangement for the large crowd. This detail highlights the abundance and provision of God, even in the setting. 5. The EventThe feeding of the five thousand is one of Jesus' most well-known miracles, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Teaching Points Divine ProvisionJesus' instruction to have the people sit down in an orderly manner shows His intention to provide for their needs. Trust in God's provision, even when resources seem scarce. Order and PreparationJesus' command for the people to sit down reflects the importance of order and preparation in receiving God's blessings. Consider how you can prepare your heart and life to receive what God has for you. Faith in ActionThe disciples' role in organizing the crowd and distributing the food demonstrates faith in action. Be willing to participate in God's work, even when the outcome is uncertain. Community and FellowshipThe communal aspect of the crowd sitting together to receive from Jesus highlights the importance of fellowship in the Christian life. Engage in community as a means of experiencing God's provision and grace. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from John 6
What does 'All we like sheep have gone astray' mean?
Can people lose their salvation? (Hebrews 6:4-6 vs. John 10:28)
John 6:5-13: How can the feeding of thousands with just five loaves and two fish be accepted without historical or scientific evidence for a large-scale miracle event?
What are the key teachings and events in Luke?(10) Much grass.--This is an addition in this account. St. Mark, who also represents the impression of an eye-witness, tells us that the grass was green ( John 6:39). We know from John 6:4 that it was at the time of the Passover-- i.e., about our April, when the hill-country on the west of the lake would naturally be clothed with verdure. So the men sat down.--The word (??????) meansmen as such, as distinct from women. (Comp. Note onJohn 1:51.) St. Matthew tells us there were five thousand men besides the women and children (John 14:21; see Note there). Verse 10. - Jesus said (the omission of δὲ rather augments the vivid force of the statement), Make the people ( ἀνθρώπους here. contrasted with the ἄνδρες of the next clause) recline. Now there was much grass in the place. As already said, this is in harmony with the note of time conveyed in ver. 4. The other evangelist ( Mark 6:39) speaks of the people sitting down "upon the green grass" - a vivid touch this of an eyewitness; Matthew ( Matthew 14:19) also speaks of the grass; and Mark and Luke add another rememberable feature which John omits. The men ( ἄνδρες were distinguished from ἄνθρωποι, which last term may have included the "women and children" ( Matthew 14:21), who in no great numbers probably formed, according to Eastern custom, a company by themselves). The men sat down (reclined), in number - the matter of the "number" is here put into the "accusative of closer definition" (Meyer) - about fivethousand. Luke says, "in groups of fifty." Mark first declares that Jesus ordered them to sit down ( συμπόσια συμπόσια) in parties, and describes the result as having the appearance of garden beds ( πρασιαί πρασιαί), of fifty or of a hundred each. The πρασιά is area, forus (Gartenbett; Homer, "Od.," 7:127; 24:247). " Πρασιαί," says Theophylact, "are the different divisions in gardens, in which different herbs are often planted." The image of the garden plots, with different divisions between them, forced itself on the eyewitness (see Trench, "Miracles," p. 205).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek “HaveΠοιήσατε(Poiēsate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.theτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.[people]ἀνθρώπους(anthrōpous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.sit down,”ἀναπεσεῖν(anapesein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 377:From ana and pipto; to fall back, i.e. Lie down, lean back.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.said.Εἶπεν(Eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.Nowδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.there wasἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.plenty ofπολὺς(polys)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4183:Much, many; often.grassχόρτος(chortos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528:Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[that]τῷ(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.place,τόπῳ(topō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5117:Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.soοὖν(oun)Conjunction
Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.menἄνδρες(andres)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435:A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.sat down,ἀνέπεσαν(anepesan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 377:From ana and pipto; to fall back, i.e. Lie down, lean back.aboutὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.five thousandπεντακισχίλιοι(pentakischilioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4000:Five thousand. From pentakis and chilioi; five times a thousand.[of them].ἀριθμὸν(arithmon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 706:A number, total. From airo; a number.
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NT Gospels: John 6:10 Jesus said Have the people sit down (Jhn Jo Jn) |
