Mark 6:40 - Exposition

And they sat down in ranks ( ἀνέπεσον πρασιαὶ πρασιαὶ ); literally, they reclined. The Greek word πρασια means "a garden plot" or "bed," literally, a bed of leeks. They were disposed symmetrically. Probably the English word "ranks" expresses the meaning as clearly as any could do. This arrangement was probably made, partly that the numbers might be better known, partly that all things might be done in an orderly manner, and that each might have his portion. St. Matthew's account ( Matthew 14:21 ) seems to imply that the "men" were separated from the "women and children."