Groups of Fifty (Lu. 9:14)

Read Luke 9:14. 

What's with arranging the men into groups of fifty each?

• Peter Pett calls them "covenant groups."  
• Perhaps Jesus referenced the work of Obadiah (1 Kin. 18:4, 13)?  Obadiah hid, fed and protected God's prophets in groups of fifty.  Likewise, these groups of fifty outside Bethsaida were under Jesus' covenant protection and provision.  
• Jesus referenced the miraculous multiplication by Elijah (1 Kin. 17:14-16) and Elisha (2 Kin. 4:42-44), suggesting that One greater than Elijah or Elisha was present.

Observations:

• There was definite reference to events 1 Kings or 2 Kings.
• Sitting in groups of fifty made it easier to number the crowd.
• Sitting in groups of fifty facilitated smoother distribution and easier movement, guaranteeing no one was bypassed or overlooked.