And he commandeth the multitude to sit down ( ἀναπεσεῖν)—literally, to recline—on the ground ( ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς); not the green grass, as before. It was a different season of the year. "He gave thanks."
In this expression is included the recognition of the Divine power to enable him to work the miracle. Christ indeed, as God, was able of his own will and by his own power to multiply the loaves. But as man he gave thanks.
And yet, as Dr. Westcott excellently remarks, "The thanksgiving was not for any uncertain or unexpected gift. It was rather a proclamation of his fellowship with God. So that the true nature of prayer in the case of our blessed Lord was the conscious realization of the Divine will, and not a petition for that which was contingent."
And having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples ( ἔκλάσε καὶ ἐδίδου). Observe the aorist and the imperfect. The giving was a continual act, till all were filled.