John 6 10

John 6:10 kjv

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.

John 6:10 nkjv

Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

John 6:10 niv

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).

John 6:10 esv

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.

John 6:10 nlt

"Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)

John 6 verses

John 6 10 Meaning

John 6:10 depicts Jesus' authoritative command to organize the large multitude by having the five thousand men recline on the abundant grass. This action is a crucial preparatory step before the miraculous feeding, illustrating Jesus' power to bring order, his pastoral care for the people, and setting a reverent scene for the divine provision that is about to unfold. It highlights the Messianic Shepherd's ability to provide both physically and spiritually.

John 6 10 Context

John 6:10 is situated in the middle of Jesus' first sign in Galilee as recorded by John: the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. The chapter opens with a massive crowd following Jesus across the Sea of Galilee, drawn by His healing signs. John 6:4 explicitly notes, "Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was at hand." This detail is crucial, as it imbues the feeding miracle with Old Testament significance, particularly linking it to the Passover and the manna provided to Israel in the wilderness during the Exodus (Exo 16). The disciples have just expressed their inability to feed such a multitude (John 6:7-9). Jesus, however, takes the situation into His divine hands, instructing them to organize the people. This precise and orderly preparation directly precedes the actual miracle, which sets the stage for Jesus' later "Bread of Life" discourse, where He explains that He is the true bread from heaven, superior to the manna, and the source of eternal life. Historically, Jewish expectations for the Messiah often included a new Moses figure who would again miraculously provide bread.

John 6 10 Word analysis

• And Jesus said: This phrase emphasizes Jesus' direct, authoritative, and initiating command. He takes immediate charge of the situation.
• Make the men sit down: (ποιεῖτε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἀναπεσεῖν, poieite tous anthrōpous anapesein).
  • Poieite is a plural imperative, a direct command to the disciples, meaning "you (plural) make" or "do."
  • Anthropos (man/person) in the plural often means "people," but later, andres specifically clarifies "men."
  • Anapesein is an aorist infinitive of anapiptō, which typically means "to recline," particularly at a meal, not simply "to sit." This immediately signals that what is to follow is a meal, akin to a formal banquet setting, elevating the act from merely resting to preparation for sacred communal eating.
• Now there was much grass in the place: (ἦν δὲ χόρτος πολὺς ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ēn de chortos polys en tō topō).
  • Chortos means "grass," "hay," or "pasture." The specific mention of grass provides a concrete detail about the comfortable and suitable environment.
  • Polys means "much" or "abundant." The presence of abundant grass makes the act of reclining feasible and comfortable for such a large crowd. This detail also subtly connects to Psalm 23:2 ("He makes me lie down in green pastures"), reinforcing Jesus' role as the benevolent Shepherd. Given the Passover proximity (John 6:4), "much grass" also indicates springtime, a time of new life and plenty.
• So the men sat down: This is a statement of immediate obedience and an orderly response to Jesus' command. It implies a swift, collective action, highlighting Jesus' control over the large crowd.
• in number about five thousand: (ἄνδρες τὸν ἀριθμὸν ὡς πεντακισχίλιοι, andres ton arithmon hōs pentakischilioi).
  • Andres specifically means "men," denoting adult males, contrasting with anthropoi which could include women and children. The synoptic gospels mention women and children also present, suggesting an even larger total crowd, but John highlights the core male contingent.
  • Hōs (about) indicates an approximate but significant number, emphasizing the massive scale of the upcoming miracle and the logistical impossibility for human efforts. This precise (yet approximate) detail grounds the miracle in reality, making its magnitude undeniable.

• Words-Group analysis:
  • "And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.": This initial command by Jesus establishes His immediate and supreme authority over the unorganized multitude. He directs the human agents (disciples) to prepare for a divinely ordained event, emphasizing the importance of order before miraculous provision.
  • "Now there was much grass in the place.": This descriptive detail signifies God's preparatory care, indicating a comfortable and suitable natural "dining hall" for the large assembly. The mention of abundant "green pastures" is rich with messianic and pastoral connotations, aligning Jesus with the Shepherd who provides for His flock.
  • "So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.": This phrase marks the obedience of the vast crowd to Jesus' command, transforming potential chaos into orderly rows. The explicit number, referring to adult males, underscores the enormous scale of the crowd, highlighting the miraculous nature and impact of the forthcoming feeding event, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled power and capability to provide.

John 6 10 Bonus section

The act of having the multitude recline in groups, as mentioned in the Synoptic parallels (Mark 6:39-40; Luke 9:14-15), further reinforces the theme of order and organization, reminiscent of Israel arranged by tribes or units in the wilderness. This also provided a structured way for the disciples to serve them effectively. This verse, with its careful details about the setting and the crowd, heightens the anticipation for the subsequent miracle, serving as a preamble that emphasizes the intentionality and magnitude of Jesus' divine provision. The mention of "men" specifically (ἄνδρες), while other gospels mention women and children, might be for practical counting reasons (as men were typically counted in ancient surveys) but also places emphasis on the key, decision-making segment of the audience for the later "Bread of Life" discourse.

John 6 10 Commentary

John 6:10 reveals the methodical order established by Jesus before a grand demonstration of His divine power. Rather than immediately producing food, Jesus first commands the crowd's organization. The instruction to "make the men sit down," specifically using a word suggesting reclining at a meal (anapesein), immediately frames the forthcoming act as a communal, perhaps sacred, banquet, not merely a provision of sustenance. The detail of "much grass" indicates not only the comfortable setting but, linked to the nearby Passover (Jn 6:4), suggests springtime—a time of renewal and fresh life. This evokes the imagery of the shepherd making his flock "lie down in green pastures" (Ps 23:2), underscoring Jesus' pastoral role and careful provision. The orderly seating of five thousand men signifies Jesus' complete authority and capacity to transform a dispersed, potentially chaotic multitude into a prepared congregation ready to receive His blessing. This meticulous preparation underscores the authenticity and magnitude of the miracle, while also symbolizing Jesus' work in establishing order within His church and preparing His followers for spiritual nourishment.