Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 6:10

"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 (ASV)

The action of Jesus reveals both his natural wisdom and supernatural power. His order to have the people sit down was necessary to stabilize the crowd so that there would not be a rush for the food. It also served to organize them in groups to facilitate serving.