Mark 6:40

← Mark 6:39 Mark 6:41 →

Mark 6:40 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

And they were placed in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.

Free Bible Version FBV

They sat in groups of hundreds and fifties.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then they sate downe by rowes, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and they sat down in squares, by hundreds, and by fifties.

World English Bible WEB

They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

So the people sat in groups. There were 50 people in some groups and 100 people in other groups.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 6:40

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Mark 6:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και ανεπεσον πρασιαι πρασιαι ανα εκατον και ανα πεντηκοντα

και kai G2532 and Conj

ανεπεσον anapiptō G377 to recline Verb-2AAI-3P

πρασιαι prasia G4237 group Noun-NPF

ανα ana G303 each Prep

εκατον hekaton G1540 hundred Adj-NUI

και kai G2532 and Conj

ανα ana G303 each Prep

πεντηκοντα pentēkonta G4004 fifty Adj-NUI

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Mark 6:40

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ανεπεσον anapiptō G377 "to recline" Verb-2AAI-3P

To recline means to lean back or lie down, like at a meal in Luke 11:37 or on the ground in Matthew 15:35. Jesus reclined at the Last Supper in John 13:12.

Definition: ἀνα-πίπτω [in LXX: Gen.49:9 (כָּרַע) Tob.2:1 7:8, Jdth.12:10, Sir.25:18 32:2, Da TH Sus 1:37 * ;] __1. (cl.) to fall back. __2. In late writers = ἀνα-κλίνομαι, to recline for a repast (MM, VGT, see word): at table, Luk.11:37 14:10 17:7 22:14, Jhn.13:12 21:20; on the ground, Mat.15:35 Mrk.6:40 8:6 Jhn.6:10; to lean back, Jhn.13:25 (T, ἐπιπεσών; see: ἀνάκειμαι, ad fin.).† SYN.: ἀνάκειμαι (which see), ἀνακλίνομαι (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: lean, sit down (to meat) See also: John 6:10; Luke 17:7; Matthew 15:35.

πρασιαι prasia G4237 "group" Noun-NPF

In Mark 6:40, people sat in orderly groups, like rows in a garden plot. This word describes a organized arrangement of people or things.

Definition: πρασιά, -ᾶς, ἡ [in LXX: Sir.24:31 * ;] a garden-bed; metaphorically, of ranks or orderly groups of persons: Mrk.6:40.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: in ranks See also: Mark 6:40.

πρασιαι prasia G4237 "group" Noun-NPF

In Mark 6:40, people sat in orderly groups, like rows in a garden plot. This word describes a organized arrangement of people or things.

Definition: πρασιά, -ᾶς, ἡ [in LXX: Sir.24:31 * ;] a garden-bed; metaphorically, of ranks or orderly groups of persons: Mrk.6:40.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: in ranks See also: Mark 6:40.

ανα ana G303 "each" Prep

This Greek word means each or every, used to describe individual items. In Matthew 20:9-10, it refers to workers receiving a denarius apiece. It can also mean 'by' or 'in', as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:27.

Definition: ἀνά prep. (the rarest in NT; M, Pr., 98; MM, VGT, see word), prop., upwards, up, always with accusative __1. In phrases: ἀ. μέσον, among, between, with genitive, Mat.13:1-58 25:1-46, Mrk.7:31, 1Co.6:5 (M, Pr., 99), Rev.7:17 [so in LXX for בְּתוׄך׃]; ἀ. μέρος, in turn, 1Co.14:27 (both found in Polyb.; cf. MGr. ἀνάμεσα). __2. Distrib., apiece, by: Mat.20:9-10, Luk.9:3 (WH om.), Luk.9:14 Luk.10:1, Jhn.2:6, Rev.4:8. __3. Adverbially ("a vulgarism," B1., § 51, 5; cf. Deiss., BS, 139 f.), ἀ. εἷς ἕκαστος, Rev.21:21. As prefix, ἀ. signifies __(a) up: ἀναβαίνειν; __(b) to: ἀναγγέλλειν; __(with) anew: ἀναγεννᾶν; __(d) back: ἀνακάμπτειν.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: and, apiece, by, each, every (man), in, through See also: 1 Corinthians 6:5; Mark 7:31; Revelation 4:8.

εκατον hekaton G1540 "hundred" Adj-NUI

A hundred, like in Matthew 13:8 where it talks about a hundred times more grain being produced.

Definition: ἑκατόν, οἱ, αἱ, τά indecl., a hundred: Mat.13:8, 23 Luk.15:4, al.; κατὰ ἑ, Mrk.6:40; εἰς, ἐν ἑ., Mrk.4:8, 20 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: hundred See also: Acts 1:15; Mark 6:40; Revelation 7:4.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ανα ana G303 "each" Prep

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: and, apiece, by, each, every (man), in, through See also: 1 Corinthians 6:5; Mark 7:31; Revelation 4:8.

πεντηκοντα pentēkonta G4004 "fifty" Adj-NUI

This word means fifty, used in Luke 7:41 and John 8:57 to describe age or quantity, such as the fifty days after Jesus' resurrection or the amount of oil in a jar.

Definition: πεντήκοντα indecl., οἱ, αἱ, τά, fifty: Luk.7:41 16:6, Jhn.8:57 21:11, Act.13:20; ἀνὰ π., Luk.9:14; κατὰ π., Mrk.6:40.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: fifty See also: Acts 13:20; Luke 7:41; Mark 6:40.

Study Notes — Mark 6:40

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Mark 6:40 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Mark 6:40
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 6:40
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 6:40
Trapp's Commentary on Mark 6:40
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 6:40
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 6:40
Cambridge Bible on Mark 6:40
Whedon's Commentary on Mark 6:40
Sermons on Mark 6:40

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.” 39Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass.

40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

41Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And He divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were satisfied,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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.

Mark 6:40 Summary

[In this verse, Jesus instructs the people to sit in groups of hundreds and fifties, which helps to create a sense of community and organization among the crowd. This is similar to the way the Israelites were organized in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 18:21. By doing this, Jesus is able to feed the entire crowd with just five loaves and two fish, demonstrating His power and provision, as seen in Mark 6:41-42. This story teaches us about the importance of obedience, trust, and community, and how Jesus can take our small offerings and use them to accomplish great things, as seen in Matthew 14:13-21.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus instruct the people to sit in groups of hundreds and fifties?

Jesus likely did this to organize the crowd and make it easier for the disciples to distribute the food, as seen in Mark 6:40, and also to create a sense of community among the people, similar to the way the Israelites were organized in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 1:15.

What is the significance of the specific group sizes of hundreds and fifties?

The group sizes may have been chosen for practical reasons, such as facilitating the distribution of food, but they also may have been symbolic, representing the organization of the Israelites in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 18:21, where Moses chose leaders of hundreds, fifties, and tens.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of the feeding of the five thousand?

This verse is a crucial part of the story, as it sets the stage for the miraculous feeding that follows, where Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish and feeds the entire crowd, as described in Mark 6:41-42, demonstrating His power and provision.

What can we learn from the obedience of the disciples in this verse?

The disciples' obedience to Jesus' instructions, as seen in Mark 6:40, demonstrates their trust in Him and their willingness to follow His lead, even when the task seems impossible, as it did in this case, with only five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd, and this is a lesson for us today, as seen in John 14:15, where Jesus says, 'If you love me, keep my commandments.'

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can demonstrate obedience to Jesus' instructions in my own life, even when the task seems impossible?
How can I create a sense of community among the people in my life, just as Jesus did in this verse?
What are some ways I can trust in Jesus' power and provision, just as the disciples did in this story?
How can I apply the lesson of this verse to my own life, in terms of being organized and prepared to serve others?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 6:40

And they sat down in ranks,.... Or "beds": in such form as little beds are placed in a garden, or as rows of vines in a vineyard, in which form the scholars of the wise men sat in their schools: it is said (g), "R.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 6:40

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 6:40

See Poole on ""

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 6:40

40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. Ver. 40. Sat down in ranks] Gr. ranks, ranks, that is, rank by rank, as rows or borders of beds in a garden. Ordinatim res in Ecclesia faciendae. Church work is to be done decently, and in order. πρασιαιπρασιαι, Hebraismus, ut Exodus 8:14.

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 6:40

(40) In ranks.—The primary meaning of the Greek word is “a bed of flowers or herbs,” and it comes in here effectively, with the same distributive reduplication as in the last verse, to paint the whole scene to the mind’s eye.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Verse 40. By hundreds, and by fifties.] "That is," says Mr. Wesley, "fifty in a rank, and a hundred in file. So, a hundred multiplied by fifty, made just five thousand." But if they sat fifty deep, how could the disciples conveniently serve them with the bread and fish?

Cambridge Bible on Mark 6:40

40. in ranks] Literally, they reclined in parterres (areolatim). “As they sat in these orderly groups upon the grass, the gay red and blue and yellow colours of the clothing, which the poorest Orientals wear, called up in the imagination of St Peter a multitude of flowerbeds in some well-cultivated garden.” Farrar’s Life of Christ, p. 402. “Our English ‘in ranks’ does not reproduce the picture to the eye, giving rather the notion of continuous lines. Wyclif was better, ‘by parties;’ perhaps in groups would be as near as we could get to it in English.” Trench, Miracles, p. 265. St Mark here, as elsewhere, doubtless reproduces the description of the scene by St Peter. by hundreds, and by fifties] “Two long rows of 100, a shorter one of 50 persons. The fourth side remained, after the manner of the tables of the ancients, empty and open.” Gerlach.

Whedon's Commentary on Mark 6:40

§ 63. — FIVE FED, Mark 6:32-44.(See notes on Matthew 14:13-21)

Sermons on Mark 6:40

	Sermon	Description
	Give Ye Them to Eat by Bakht Singh	Bakht Singh preaches on the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, emphasizing the disciples' initial helplessness and the Lord's command to provide for the hungry multitude. He highl

← Mark 6:39 Mark 6:41 →

Mark 6:40

Mark 6:40 in Multiple Translations

Cite / Share This Page

Study Highlights

Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 6:40

Mark 6:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)

Greek Word Reference — Mark 6:40

Study Notes — Mark 6:40

Context — The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Cross References

Mark 6:40 Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Reflection Questions

Gill's Exposition on Mark 6:40

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 6:40

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Cambridge Bible on Mark 6:40

Whedon's Commentary on Mark 6:40

Sermons on Mark 6:40