For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
We have here, I. The account which the twelve gave their Master of the success of their ministry. They were not long out; but, when they returned, they told him all that they had done, as became servants who were sent on an errand. They told him what they had done, that, if they had done any thing amiss, they might mend it next time. II.
Commenting on Luke 9:10-17
For they were about five thousand men,.... Beside women and children, Mat 14:21, and he said to his disciples, make them to sit down by fifties in a company; and by hundreds also; some companies had a hundred apiece in them, and others fifty; and which was done partly, for the more easy numbering of them, and partly and chiefly for the more convenient distribution...