King James Version

What Does Mark 6:39 Mean?

Mark 6:39 in the King James Version says “And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.”

Mark 6:39 · KJV

Context

37

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? pennyworth: the Roman penny is sevenpence halfpenny

38

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40

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

41

And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. Jesus organizes the crowd before the miracle, demonstrating order in divine provision. 'He commanded them to make all sit down by companies' (ἐπέταξεν αὐτοῖς ἀνακλῖναι πάντας συμπόσια συμπόσια, epetaxen autois anaklinai pantas symposia symposia)—the Greek symposia symposia (literally 'drinking parties drinking parties') uses reduplication for emphasis: organized groups. 'Upon the green grass' (ἐπὶ τῷ χλωρῷ χόρτῳ, epi tō chlōrō chortō) indicates spring timing (grass green before summer's heat browns it) and comfortable setting. Jesus didn't work the miracle amid chaos; He organized systematic distribution. This demonstrates God's character: He is God of order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Even in miraculous provision, divine wisdom organizes for efficient distribution. The seated groups facilitated counting and ensured everyone received food. This organization prefigures church order—God's people gathered, organized, receiving provision from Christ through appointed servants. The detail also served apologetic purposes: organized seating allowed accurate crowd count, establishing miracle's credibility—5000 men actually fed, not vague 'large crowd.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'green grass' detail suggests Passover season (spring)—Mark alone mentions this color. Palestinian grass greens after winter rains but browns in summer heat. This temporal marker coincides with John's notation 'Passover was near' (John 6:4), creating theological connection: as Israel received manna during original exodus/Passover, Jesus provides miraculous bread near Passover, identifying Himself as greater than Moses. The organized seating by 'companies' (symposia) used term for dining groups at banquets—typically reclining around food in Roman custom. Though likely sitting rather than reclining on grass, the language elevated this outdoor meal to banquet status. Luke and Matthew specify they sat in groups of fifties and hundreds (Luke 9:14; Matthew 14:19), echoing Moses' organization of Israel in wilderness (Exodus 18:21). This connection reinforced typology: Jesus as new Moses leading new exodus, providing bread in wilderness. Early church saw Eucharistic significance: organized gathering, receiving bread from Christ through disciples' hands, foreshadowing sacramental practice. Order in divine provision demonstrated that God's grace doesn't create chaos but establishes community properly structured to receive His gifts.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' insistence on organized seating before miraculous provision illustrate that God works through order and structure, not chaos, even in supernatural moments?
  2. What does the 'green grass' detail suggesting Passover season teach about Jesus as the true Passover Lamb providing bread superior to original manna?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
καὶ1 of 11

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπέταξεν2 of 11

“he commanded”

G2004

to arrange upon, i.e., order

αὐτοῖς3 of 11

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀνακλῖναι4 of 11

“sit down”

G347

to lean back

πάντας5 of 11

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

συμπόσια6 of 11

“by companies”

G4849

a drinking-party ("symposium"), i.e., (by extension) a room of guests

συμπόσια7 of 11

“by companies”

G4849

a drinking-party ("symposium"), i.e., (by extension) a room of guests

ἐπὶ8 of 11

“upon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῷ9 of 11
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χλωρῷ10 of 11

“the green”

G5515

greenish, i.e., verdant, dun-colored

χόρτῳ11 of 11

“grass”

G5528

a "court" or "garden", i.e., (by implication, of pasture) herbage or vegetation

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 6:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 6:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 15:351 Corinthians 14:401 Corinthians 14:331 Kings 10:5Esther 1:5-6

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