For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
Parallel Translations
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For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
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And they were about a fyve thousand men. And he sayde to his disciples: Cause them to syt doune by fyfties in a company.
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For they were about fiue thousand men. Then he sayde to his disciples, Cause them to sit downe by fifties in a company.
Cross-references (3)
Passages linked to Luke 9:14 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Mark 6:39-40 He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
- Mark 8:6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (5 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 14 For they were about five thousand men. And…
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
Ver. 14. {See Trapp on "Luk 9:13"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain For they were about five thousand men,.... Beside women…
For they were about five thousand men,.... Beside women and children, Mat 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 Mar 6:39. See Gill on Mar 6:40.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 14. Jive thousand men) “Besides women and children,” Mat_14:21.…
14. Jive thousand men) “Besides women and children,” Mat_14:21. These would probably not be numerous, and would not (in accordance with Eastern usage) sit down with the men, but would stand apart.
by fifties in a company] The vivid details of Mark shew the eyewitness of St Peter. He compares them to parterres of flowers (prasiai prasiai, ‘by garden beds’) as they sat on the green grass in their bright Oriental robes of red and blue and yellow. St Luke’s word, klisiai, means literally in dining-parties, from klisia, ‘a couch.’ This systematic arrangement made it easy to tell the number of the multitude.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (14) Make them sit down.—Literally, recline, or lie down.
(14) Make them sit down.—Literally, recline, or lie down.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain They were about five thousand men. St. Matthew adds,…
They were about five thousand men. St. Matthew adds, "besides women and children." The multitude generally had come from a considerable distance, we know; there would not be, comparatively speaking, many women and children among them. These were grouped together apart, and, of course, fed, hut were not counted among the five thousand. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. "Jesus has no sooner ascertained that there are five loaves and two fishes, than he is satisfied. He commands them to make the multitude sit down. Just as though he had said, "I have what I want; the meal is ready; let them be seated!" But he takes care that his banquet shall be conducted with an order worthy of the God who gives it. Everything must be calm and solemn; it is a kind of Passover meal. By the help of the apostles, he seats his guests in rows of fifty each (St.. Matthew), or in double rows of fifty, by hundreds (Mark). This orderly arrangement allowed of the guests being easily counted. St. Mark describes in a dramatic manner the striking spectacle presented by these regularly formed companies, each consisting of two equal ranks, and all arranged upon the slope of the hill. The pastures at that time were in all their spring glory. SS. John and Mark both bring forward the beauty of this natural carpet. "Much grass" (St. John); "on the green grass" (St. Mark)" (Godet). St. Mark"s vivid picturesque details show the observant eve-witness. The words rendered "in ranks" ("they sat down in ranks") literally mean they were like flower-beds set in the green grass. The bright-coloured Eastern robes of these men, as they sat in long rows, suggested the happy comparison.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.