John Gill Bible Commentary

And they did so, and made them all sit down. The disciples did not dispute the case any longer with Christ, but obeyed his orders, and ranged the multitude in companies, a hundred in one, and fifty in another; and ordered them to sit down in their distinct companies and ranks upon the green grass. The Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "and they all sat down"; and so it is read in some copies of the Vulgate Latin version. And they did so, and made them all sit down. The disciples did not dispute the case any longer with Christ, but obeyed his orders, and ranged the multitude in companies, a hundred in one, and fifty in another; and ordered them to sit down in their distinct companies and ranks upon the green grass. The Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "and they all sat down"; and so it is read in some copies of the Vulgate Latin version. Luke 9:16 luk 9:16 luk 9:16 luk 9:16Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes,.... Into his hands, being brought him by the disciples from the lad that had them: and looking up to heaven: to his Father there, from whom all the mercies and blessings of life come; he blessed them; either asked, or commanded a blessing on them, that they might multiply and increase, that there might be a sufficiency for all the people, and that, they might be nourishing to them. Beza observes, that in his most ancient copy, it is read, "he blessed upon them"; which perfectly agrees with the Jewish way of speaking, "he that blesseth upon the bread"; "he that blesseth upon the wine"; and so upon the fruits of trees, and upon the fruits of the earth, and upon other things (s); and brake; the loaves, and divided the fishes into parts: and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude; as they sat in ranks, and in their distinct companies. (s) Misn. Beracot, c. 6. sect. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.