And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After feeding thousands, Jesus immediately sends the disciples away and dismisses the crowd, not for a break, but to seek solitude on the mountain for prayer. This highlights his deliberate choice to turn from the overwhelming needs of the people towards communion with his Father, demonstrating a profound reliance on God's strength to sustain his mission.
And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After feeding the five thousand and sending his disciples across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus dismissed the massive crowd. He then withdrew to a mountain alone to pray. This moment of solitude for prayer follows a period of intense ministry and immediately precedes Jesus walking on the water to meet his disciples during a storm.
After feeding thousands and sending his disciples off, Jesus sought solitude. Why would Jesus, the Son of God, need to withdraw?
Even Jesus, in his humanity, recognized the profound need for personal time with God.
The word translated 'taken leave' (or 'sent them away') suggests more than just dismissal. What deeper meaning does this carry?
The Greek word used here (apotassomai) carries a sense of a formal farewell or even a discharge. It underscores Jesus' completed action with the crowds.
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Understand the original words
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 moment of prayer follows the immense feeding miracle and the disciples' departure. Jesus' solitary retreat to the mountain highlights his need for divine communion, especially as his disciples faced their own perilous journey and growing faith challenges across the stormy sea.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus feeds 5,000
Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of over 5,000 men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish. This event demonstrates his power and compassion.
c. AD 27-30
Disciples sent to the other side
Jesus compels his disciples to board a boat and head across the Sea of Galilee, while he stays behind to dismiss the crowd.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus prays alone on the mountain
After sending the crowds away, Jesus retreats to a mountain to pray, seeking communion with God after the intense feeding miracle and public attention.
c. AD 27-30
Disciples caught in a storm
While crossing the sea, the disciples' boat is battered by strong winds and rough waves, causing them great distress as they row towards Bethsaida.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus walks on water
During the "fourth watch" of the night (around 3-6 AM), Jesus appears to his struggling disciples by walking on the sea, intending to pass them by.
c. AD 27-30
Disciples' fear and recognition
Terrified, the disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost. He reassures them, calms the storm upon entering the boat, and they worship him, recognizing his divine identity.
This passage mirrors Mark 6:46 directly, showing Jesus also went up to a mountain to pray alone after feeding the multitudes, highlighting the consistent pattern of His prayer life.
Luke 9:18Luke presents Jesus praying alone after feeding the 5,000, emphasizing His reliance on prayer even in the midst of His powerful ministry and the disciples' needs.
Luke 6:12Before choosing the Twelve Apostles, Jesus spent an entire night in prayer to God. This shows His practice of seeking divine guidance through prayer before making significant decisions, similar to His need for prayer after the feeding miracle.
John 6:15After the feeding miracle, the crowd wanted to make Jesus king by force. He withdrew to the mountain to escape this pressure and pray, demonstrating His commitment to God's will over popular acclaim.
pooleMark 6:46: "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
Ver. 46. See Poole on "Mark 6:45"
gillMark 6:46: "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
And when he had sent them away,.... Either his disciples, or rather the multitude: he departed into a mountain to pray: after his disciples were gone, and he had dismissed the people, he went from the desert where he had been, up into a mountain; being a retired place, to spend some time in private prayer to God; See Gill on Matthew 14:23.
After feeding thousands, Jesus immediately sends the disciples away and dismisses the crowd, not for a break, but to seek solitude on the mountain for prayer. This highlights his deliberate choice to turn from the overwhelming needs of the people towards communion with his Father, demonstrating a profound reliance on God's strength to sustain his mission.
After feeding the five thousand and sending his disciples across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus dismissed the massive crowd. He then withdrew to a mountain alone to pray. This moment of solitude for prayer follows a period of intense ministry and immediately precedes Jesus walking on the water to meet his disciples during a storm.
After feeding the five thousand and sending his disciples across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus dismissed the massive crowd. He then withdrew to a mountain alone to pray. This moment of solitude for prayer follows a period of intense ministry and immediately precedes Jesus walking on the water to meet his disciples during a storm.
"And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray." — After feeding thousands, Jesus immediately sends the disciples away and dismisses the crowd, not for a break, but to seek solitude on the mountain for prayer. This highlights his deliberate choice to…
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Last reviewed October 2026