John 6:16
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John 6:16
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The disciples' descent to the sea isn't just a casual move; it’s happening because Jesus constrained them to go. This detail, found in the other Gospels, suggests they weren't eager to leave Him, perhaps still clinging to the idea of making Him king by force after the feeding miracle, and Jesus knew they needed a nudge.
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus withdrew to a mountain to pray, leaving his disciples to head out onto the Sea of Galilee in a boat. As night fell and a strong wind began to blow, they found themselves struggling against the waves, far from shore, with no sign of Jesus.
Why does John specify 'when evening was now come,' and what does 'second evening' imply about the disciples' rush?
The phrase 'when evening was now come' (or 'late evening') in John 6:16 points to a specific time, often understood as the 'second evening' in Jewish custom. This was after sundown, moving into darkness. The disciples' action of 'going down to the sea' suggests a sense of urgency, perhaps a desire to depart before full darkness or to comply with Jesus' instruction to set out. The commentaries suggest Jesus 'constrained' them to go, implying a reluctance on their part to leave Him, or perhaps stemming from the crowd's attempt to make Him king. This timing highlights the disciples being sent out alone into a potentially difficult situation just as the day was ending.
The disciples went down to the sea, but Jesus didn't immediately follow. What does this separation reveal about their faith and His plan?
While the disciples set out in their boat, Jesus remained behind, going up a mountain to pray, as other Gospels note. This separation, occurring as darkness fell, wasn't accidental. The commentaries suggest Jesus intended for this experience to test and strengthen their faith. The crowd's desire to make Jesus king by force likely prompted His withdrawal, preventing a premature political elevation. The disciples' departure without Him, into a darkening sea and a rising storm, created a scenario where they would have to rely on more than just their own abilities, setting the stage for Jesus to reveal His mastery over nature.
Understand the original words
mathētai · Greek Noun
Refers to the followers or learners of a teacher; in the New Testament, those who have committed themselves to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.
thalassan · Greek Noun
A large body of water, often symbolizing chaos, the unknown, or the forces of nature that are beyond human control and subject only to God's authority.
This event occurs during a turbulent time in Jesus' ministry, immediately after a crowd-driven attempt to make Him a political king, highlighting Jesus' rejection of earthly power and His sovereign control over nature and His followers' fears.
c. AD 30
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish. This event deeply impresses the crowd, leading them to want to make Jesus king by force.
Evening of the feeding
Crowd Attempts to Make Jesus King
Following the miraculous feeding, the crowd seeks Jesus to forcibly make him their king, a political move Jesus rejects. He withdraws to a mountain alone to pray.
Later that evening— this verse
Disciples Embark on the Sea
Jesus' disciples, possibly compelled by Jesus or their own desire to escape the situation, get into a boat and begin crossing the Sea of Galilee towards Capernaum as night falls.
During the night
Violent Wind Arises
As the disciples row across the sea, a strong wind begins to blow, causing the sea to become rough and creating a perilous situation for the boat.
This passage narrates the same event of Jesus walking on water and Peter's attempt to join Him, providing a fuller account of the disciples' fear and Jesus' reassurance.
Mark 6:45-52Mark's Gospel also records this incident, focusing on the disciples' astonishment and Jesus' immediate response to their fear, highlighting His divine power over the storm.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm beautifully describes sailors in a storm crying out to the Lord, who then calms the sea, paralleling the disciples' terror and Jesus' miraculous intervention to bring them to their destination.
Job 9:8Job speaks of God alone stretching out the heavens and treading on the waves of the sea, which echoes the immense power Jesus displays by walking on the water, a feat only God could do.
barnesJohn 6:16: "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,"
See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in the notes at Matthew 14:22-33 . Compare Mark 6:45-52 .
calvinJohn 6:14-21: "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."
- Those men, therefore, when they saw the miracle which Jesus had performed, said, This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world. 15. And when Jesus knew that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he again withdrew alone into a mountain. 16. And when it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea. 17. And havin…
The disciples' descent to the sea isn't just a casual move; it’s happening because Jesus constrained them to go. This detail, found in the other Gospels, suggests they weren't eager to leave Him, perhaps still clinging to the idea of making Him king by force after the feeding miracle, and Jesus knew they needed a nudge.
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus withdrew to a mountain to pray, leaving his disciples to head out onto the Sea of Galilee in a boat. As night fell and a strong wind began to blow, they found themselves struggling against the waves, far from shore, with no sign of Jesus.
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus withdrew to a mountain to pray, leaving his disciples to head out onto the Sea of Galilee in a boat. As night fell and a strong wind began to blow, they found themselves struggling against the waves, far from shore, with no sign of Jesus.
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Late night, early morning
Jesus Walks on the Water
In the fourth watch of the night (between 3-6 AM), Jesus appears to the disciples, walking on the surface of the stormy sea towards their boat, terrifying them.
After Jesus speaks
Jesus Enters the Boat
After Jesus reassures his disciples, they willingly receive him into the boat. Immediately, the boat reaches its intended destination.
"When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea," — The disciples' descent to the sea isn't just a casual move; it’s happening because Jesus constrained them to go. This detail, found in the other Gospels, suggests they weren't eager to leave Him, p…