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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 6:15-21

Here is, I. Christ's retirement from the multitude. 1. Observe what induced him to retire; because he perceived that those who acknowledged him to be that prophet that should come into the world would come, and take him by force, to make him a king, John 6:15. Now here we have an instance, (1.) Of the irregular zeal of some of Christ's followers; nothing would serve but they would make him a king. Now, [1.] This was an act of zeal for the honour of Christ, and against the contempt which the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 6:16-21

6:16-21 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, and, when they had embarked upon a boat, they started across the sea to Capernaum. By this time darkness had come on, and Jesus had not yet come to them; and the sea was roused because a great wind was blowing. So, when they had rowed between three and four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and coming near the boat, and they were afraid. But he said to them: "It is I don't be afraid." So they wished to take him on board... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:19

So when they had rowed ,.... For the wind being contrary, they could not make use of their sails, but betook themselves to their oars, and by that means got about five and twenty, or thirty furlongs ; which were three or four miles, or little more than a league; no further had they got, though they had been rowing from the time it was dark, to the fourth watch, which was after three o'clock in the morning; all this while they had been tossed in the sea; they saw Jesus walking on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:19

Had rowed - Their vessel was a small one only, something of the boat kind: as to sails, if they had any, they could not now venture to carry them, because of the storm. Five and twenty or thirty furlongs - Between three and four miles. The sea of Tiberias, on which they now were, was, according to Josephus, War, book iii. chap. 25, forty furlongs, or five miles in breadth; and one hundred and forty furlongs, or eighteen miles, in length. Pliny, lib. v. chap. 15, makes it about six miles... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:19

Verse 19 19.They were terrified. The other Evangelists explain the cause of that fear to have been, that they thought that it was an apparition, (Matthew 14:26; Mark 6:49.) Now it is impossible not to be seized with consternation and dread, when an apparition is presented before our eyes; for we conclude that it is either some imposture of Satan, or some bad omen which God sends us. Besides, John here holds out to us, as in a mirror, what kind of knowledge of Christ we may obtain without the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:1-71

2. Christ declares himself to be the Sustainer and Protector of the life of which he is the Source . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:16-21

(2) The mastery of the forces of nature—a " sign " of love . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:16-21

Christ walking on the sea. Our Lord had sent the disciples across to Capernaum, to detach them from the influence of the excited multitude. I. THE DISCIPLES EXPOSED TO DANGER ON THE LAKE . "And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea was agitated by a great wind that blew." 1 . The sea of Galilee was often exposed to dangerous storms . 2 . The darkness of the night must hare intensified the fears of the disciples . 3 . The absence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:19

When they had rowed £ about twenty-five or thirty stadia; or, furlongs . When they had rowed with a northwest wind, one "contrary to them," about three miles and a half, they would be in the midst of the broadest portion of the lake, and exposed to the force of those gales which often sweep down with astonishing fury upon lakes similarly guarded on all sides by high hills. While the wind was tossing the little lake into angry waves, it was not silent on the mountain side or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 6:16-21

See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in the notes at Matthew 14:22-33. Compare Mark 6:45-52.John 6:21Immediately - Quickly. Before a long time. How far they were from the land we know not, but there is no evidence that there was a miracle in the case. The word translated “immediately” does not of necessity imply that there was no interval of time, but that there was not a long interval. Thus, in Matthew 13:5, in the parable of the sower, “and immediately (the same word in Greek)... read more

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