John Gill Commentary Luke 9:14

"For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each." — Luke 9:14 (ASV)

For they were about five thousand men
Beside women and children, (Matthew 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 of food to them; (See Gill on Mark 6:39). (See Gill on Mark 6:40).