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

MARK 6:40KJV
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Mark 6:40 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:40 mean?

Mark 6:40 describes how the crowd sat down in organized groups, with people arranged in rows of hundreds and fifties, as Jesus prepared to feed them. This orderly seating made it possible to distribute the food efficiently to the large number of people present.

In this scene, Jesus is about to perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand. He instructs his disciples to have everyone sit down, and the crowd follows by forming into clearly defined groups. This detail shows the practical steps taken to manage such a large gathering and sets the stage for the miracle that follows.

The Greek behind Mark 6:40

  • The word translated "ranks" is προσαιτίδες (prosaitides, G4237), which refers to groups or arrangements, often used for garden beds or rows. This suggests the people were seated in visually distinct, orderly rows, making the scene look organized and structured.
  • The numbers ἑκατόν (hekaton, G1540, "hundreds") and πεντήκοντα (pentēkonta, G4004, "fifties") show that the groups were not random but specifically sized, highlighting the careful planning involved in the event.

Why Mark 6:40 matters

  • Mark 6:40 clears up any idea that the feeding of the five thousand was chaotic or disorganized; it emphasizes the intentional order Jesus brought to the situation.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the disciples’ role in organizing the crowd, which helps explain how the miracle could be witnessed and experienced by so many people at once.
  • The detail of specific group sizes may remind readers of similar arrangements in the Old Testament, such as how Moses organized the people of Israel, hinting at Jesus’ role as a leader and provider.

Where else these words appear

“fifties” Greek G4004 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
  • Luke 16:6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

“down” Greek G377 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
  • Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
  • John 6:10 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.

“by” Greek G303 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
  • Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

“hundreds” Greek G1540 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.