Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just send his disciples away; he "constrained" them, a strong word suggesting they were reluctant and he had to urge them forward. This detail hints at their desire to stay with him, perhaps feeling uneasy about leaving him alone with the crowd, even as he dismissed the people.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds, intentionally creating separation. This action immediately precedes Jesus going up a mountain alone to pray, and then astonishingly walking on the sea to meet his disciples who are struggling against a strong wind. The disciples' fear and confusion reveal their spiritual blindness, especially in light of the recent miracle of the loaves.
Why did Jesus have to 'constrain' his disciples? It wasn't about forcing them against their will, but about a deeper call to trust and obey, even when things didn't make immediate sense.
The word 'constrained' here, from the Greek word 'anagkazo', doesn't necessarily mean forceful coercion. Instead, it suggests a strong urging or compelling. Jesus didn't force his disciples against their desire, but rather compelled them to obey His will, even when it seemed counter-intuitive.
Think about it: they had just witnessed Jesus feed thousands with a few loaves. It would have been natural for them to want to stay close to Him, perhaps to celebrate or learn more. But Jesus had a different plan.
This 'constraint' highlights:
Jesus sends everyone away – disciples and crowds. What was He seeking in the quiet solitude of the mountain?
After the immense exertion of feeding the five thousand and managing the disciples, Jesus doesn't rest with them. Instead, He deliberately sends them away and dismisses the crowds.
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This isn't about escaping responsibility, but about seeking deeper communion with the Father. The commentaries note that Jesus often sought solitude, especially in mountains, for prayer. This wasn't just for confession or petition, but for intimate fellowship.
Jesus’ actions reveal:
Understand the original words
ochlos · Greek Noun
A standard term for the gathered group of people, often used to refer to the common people or the masses who followed Jesus. In the Gospels, they are frequently the recipients of Jesus' compassion and teaching.
peran · Greek Adverb/Noun
A technical term for the 'other' shore or sea, often symbolizing a movement toward a new mission field or place of ministry. In Mark, it frequently signifies crossing into Gentile territory or a new phase of Jesus' ministry.
oros · Greek Noun
A place of elevation often associated with intimacy with God, revelation, and prayer; it frequently symbolizes a place of spiritual retreat or closeness to the divine.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God, involving worship, petition, confession, and thanksgiving; it is the fundamental expression of a relationship with the Creator.
This verse marks the moment Jesus separates Himself from the crowd and His disciples after a major miracle, initiating a period of solitude for prayer and leading into further supernatural events on the Sea of Galilee.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd of over 5,000 men (plus women and children) with just five loaves and two fish. This event deeply impacted the crowds and the disciples.
Immediately following the feeding— this verse
Jesus Sends Disciples to Bethsaida
After the miraculous feeding, Jesus compels his disciples to get into a boat and go across the Sea of Galilee towards Bethsaida, while He dismisses the crowds.
Later that night
Jesus Walks on Water
While the disciples struggle against a strong wind on the sea, Jesus walks on the water towards their boat, intending to pass them by.
Later that night
Disciples' Fear and Astonishment
The disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost and cry out in fear. Jesus calms them, and when He joins them in the boat, the wind ceases.
Following the sea crossing
Arrival in the Land of Gennesaret
After landing in the region of Gennesaret, news of Jesus spreads, and people bring their sick to Him, seeking healing.
This passage clarifies the disciples' destination, noting they were heading to Capernaum, which helps contextualize the 'other side' mentioned in Mark.
Matthew 14:22-23This parallel account in Matthew describes Jesus sending his disciples across the sea and then going up to a mountain to pray, mirroring the actions in Mark 6:45.
Mark 6:48-52This immediate continuation of the narrative shows the disciples struggling against the wind on the sea, directly following Jesus sending them away and before He joins them, highlighting the 'why' behind their boat journey.
Luke 9:10This passage provides additional context by mentioning that the feeding of the multitude took place in a desert belonging to Bethsaida, helping to situate the starting point of the disciples' journey.
pooleMark 6:45: "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people."
Ver. 45,46. If this desert where Christ was were, as Luke saith, Luke 9:10 , a desert belonging to Bethsaida, those words, eiv to peran prov bhysaidan, are ill translated unto Bethsaida, and the marginal note in our larger Bibles is better, over against Bethsaida. Our Saviour here first sends away his disciples by water, then he dismis…
gillMark 6:45: "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people."
And straightway he constrained his disciples,.... The reasons of this is See Gill on Matthew 14:22 , to get into the ship; in which they came to this place, and which was waiting for them: and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida; or rather "to go to the other side over against Bethsaida"; for they were now in a desert belongi…
Jesus doesn't just send his disciples away; he "constrained" them, a strong word suggesting they were reluctant and he had to urge them forward. This detail hints at their desire to stay with him, perhaps feeling uneasy about leaving him alone with the crowd, even as he dismissed the people.
Right after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds, intentionally creating separation. This action immediately precedes Jesus going up a mountain alone to pray, and then astonishingly walking on the sea to meet his disciples who are struggling against a strong wind. The disciples' fear and confusion reveal their spiritual blindness, especially in light of the recent miracle of the loaves.
Right after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds, intentionally creating separation. This action immediately precedes Jesus going up a mountain alone to pray, and then astonishingly walking on the sea to meet his disciples who are struggling against a strong wind. The disciples' fear and confusion reveal their spiritual blindness, especially in light of the recent miracle of the loaves.
"Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray." — Jesus doesn't just send his disciples away; he "constrained" them, a strong word suggesting they were reluctant and he had to urge them forward. This detail hints at their desire to stay with him, pe…
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Last reviewed October 2026