John 6:14-15
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The people immediately identified Jesus as "the Prophet" spoken of in Deuteronomy, but their understanding was still focused on the earth. They saw a "sign" and recognized divine power, yet their immediate impulse was to make him an earthly king, a misunderstanding that would later lead many to reject him when his kingdom proved to be spiritual, not political.
Just moments after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with just a few loaves, the crowd recognized this as a sign pointing to a promised prophet. They immediately declared Jesus to be that Prophet, anticipating the one spoken of in Scripture, and were ready to force Him to become their king. This understanding, however, was quickly misinterpreted, as Jesus knew they wanted to make Him an earthly ruler, prompting Him to withdraw from them.
The crowd just saw an incredible display of power – thousands fed from just a few loaves. What did this 'sign' reveal to them about Jesus?
The people’s immediate declaration, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!', wasn't just a random guess. It was a direct response to the sign they witnessed. They connected Jesus's miraculous feeding of the multitude to the prophecies they knew, particularly the expectation of a great prophet like Moses, as foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15. For them, this miracle was undeniable proof, a sign pointing to the long-awaited Messiah who would bring relief and restoration.
This shows how God often reveals Himself through extraordinary events, calling us to pay attention to the 'signs' He provides. These signs aren't just meant to be spectacles; they are intended to point us to His identity and His purposes.
The crowd recognized Jesus as the promised Prophet. So why did Jesus later withdraw, and why did so many eventually turn away from Him?
The crowd's immediate conclusion – 'This is indeed the Prophet!' – reveals a common misunderstanding of the Messiah's mission. They saw Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies pointing to a political and earthly deliverer, someone who would overthrow Roman rule and establish a visible kingdom.
When Jesus realized they intended to 'force' Him to be king – to seize Him and make Him their king according to their expectations – He withdrew. His true kingdom was not of this world, and His mission was spiritual, not primarily political. This fundamental difference between the popular expectation of a Messiah and Jesus's actual mission led to confusion and ultimately, the rejection of Jesus by many, even after witnessing His signs.
Understand the original words
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A supernatural act performed by Jesus intended to point beyond itself to His identity, authority, and divine mission. It is a visible demonstration of His kingdom power meant to evoke faith.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A reference to the promise in Deuteronomy 18:15 regarding a messianic figure who would be a prophet like Moses, whom the people of Israel were to heed. Identifying Jesus as 'the Prophet' indicates the crowd recognized His divine authority and messianic role.
harpazō · Greek Verb
The exercise of human agency or political power to impose one's will upon another. In this context, it reflects the crowd's carnal desire to force Jesus into a political or military messianic role that did not align with His spiritual mission.
The crowd's immediate proclamation of Jesus as 'the Prophet' reflects a deep-seated expectation for a messianic deliverer, rooted in Old Testament prophecies like Deuteronomy 18:15. However, their attempt to force kingship upon him reveals a misunderstanding of his true mission – a spiritual kingdom, not a political one.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Gives the Law
Moses, the great prophet and lawgiver, leads Israel out of Egypt. His teachings and the covenant at Sinai form the foundation of Jewish religious life for centuries.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Foretells the Coming Prophet
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a coming ruler from the line of David, a figure of justice and peace, fueling messianic expectations.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and performing miracles, drawing large crowds and sparking debate about his identity.
AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds thousands with only a few loaves and fishes. This incredible sign leads many to declare him the prophesied Prophet.
This passage directly prophesies a prophet like Moses whom God would raise up, the very 'Prophet' the crowd in John 6:14 believed Jesus to be.
John 1:21This verse shows the people questioning John the Baptist if he was 'the Prophet,' indicating the widespread expectation of such a figure during Jesus' time.
Matthew 14:17This passage describes the feeding of the 5,000 from the disciples' perspective, paralleling the crowd's observation of the 'sign' that led them to identify Jesus as the Prophet.
John 6:26Jesus' subsequent statement to the crowd about seeking Him because of the loaves, not the signs, highlights the superficial nature of their recognition of Him as the Prophet.
Acts 3:22Peter directly quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 and applies it to Jesus, confirming that the 'Prophet' expected was indeed the Messiah, a truth the crowd in John 6 was beginning to grasp.
barnesJohn 6:14: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world."
That Prophet ... - The Messiah. The power to work the miracle, and the benevolence manifested in it, showed that he was the long-expected Messiah.
vincentJohn 6:14: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world."
That should come (ὁ ἐρχόμενος)Literally, the one coming. Rev., that cometh. John 6:15-21. Compare Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-52.
The people immediately identified Jesus as "the Prophet" spoken of in Deuteronomy, but their understanding was still focused on the earth. They saw a "sign" and recognized divine power, yet their immediate impulse was to make him an earthly king, a misunderstanding that would later lead many to reject him when his kingdom proved to be spiritual, not political.
Just moments after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with just a few loaves, the crowd recognized this as a sign pointing to a promised prophet. They immediately declared Jesus to be that Prophet, anticipating the one spoken of in Scripture, and were ready to force Him to become their king. This understanding, however, was quickly misinterpreted, as Jesus knew they wanted to make Him an earthly ruler, prompting Him to withdraw from them.
Just moments after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with just a few loaves, the crowd recognized this as a sign pointing to a promised prophet. They immediately declared Jesus to be that Prophet, anticipating the one spoken of in Scripture, and were ready to force Him to become their king. This understanding, however, was quickly misinterpreted, as Jesus knew they wanted to make Him an earthly ruler, prompting Him to withdraw from them.
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basileus · Greek Noun
One who holds supreme authority and exercises sovereignty over a people. In the Jewish expectation, this was often envisioned as a political ruler who would liberate Israel from oppression, whereas Jesus' kingship is fundamentally spiritual and eternal.
AD 30/33
Crowd Attempts to Make Jesus King
Overwhelmed by the miracle, the crowd tries to seize Jesus and force him to become their king, expecting a political and military leader.
AD 30/33
Jesus Withdraws from the Crowd
Jesus, recognizing the people's misunderstanding and their desire for an earthly kingdom, withdraws to a mountain to pray, evading their attempt to crown him.
"When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain…" — The people immediately identified Jesus as "the Prophet" spoken of in Deuteronomy, but their understanding was still focused on the earth. They saw a "sign" and recognized divine power, yet their imm…
