And He commanded them to have everyone sit down in groups on the green grass.
Jesus acts with order, not with confusion. Although the crowd was large and the need was great, He commands that they be seated in groups. This order prepares the calm and understandable course of the miracle that is about to take place. The works of God, though mighty, are always done with order, not with disorder. Moreover, the mention of the green grass gives the scene a shepherd-like tone. He who a little earlier had compassion on them as sheep without a shepherd now seats them as a flock under His shepherding. Here there seems also to sound an echo of Psalm 22 (23): “He made me rest in green pastures.” Christ is the true Shepherd, who not only teaches but also feeds His flock.