John 6:15

KJV

¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

KJV (with Strong's)

When Jesus {G2424} therefore {G3767} perceived {G1097} that {G3754} they would {G3195} come {G2064} and {G2532} take {G726} him {G846} by force {G726}, to {G2443} make {G4160} him {G846} a king {G935}, he departed {G402} again {G3825} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735} himself {G846} alone {G3441}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua knew that they were on the point of coming and seizing him, in order to make him king; so he went back to the hills again. This time he went by himself.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

American Standard Version

Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus, perceiving the crowd's misguided intent to forcefully enthrone Him as an earthly king, deliberately withdrew from their presence. He retreated to a solitary mountain, affirming His rejection of a worldly kingdom and His unwavering commitment to His divine mission, which was fundamentally spiritual and redemptive, not political or temporal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' miraculous feeding of over five thousand people with five barley loaves and two small fish, an event that profoundly impacted the multitude and led to twelve baskets of leftovers ([John 6:1-14](/john/6-1-14 "John 6:1-14 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand")). The crowd's desire to make Jesus king is a direct response to this sign, which they interpreted through the lens of their immediate physical needs and nationalistic aspirations. It sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent "Bread of Life" discourse ([John 6:22-59](/john/6-22-59 "John 6:22-59 - The Bread of Life Discourse")), where He challenges their carnal understanding of His provision and reveals the true, spiritual sustenance He offers, leading to significant defection among His followers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people harbored deep-seated messianic expectations. They longed for a political and military deliverer, a new Davidic king, who would liberate them from foreign rule, restore Israel's sovereignty, and usher in a golden age of national glory. The miracle of the loaves and fish resonated with their historical memory of Moses providing manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")), fueling their belief that Jesus was the prophet-king who would fulfill these aspirations. Their attempt to "take him by force" reflects the fervent, often volatile, popular sentiment for a revolutionary leader.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the **Misunderstanding of Jesus' Kingship**. The crowd sought an earthly, political king, focused on temporal liberation and physical provision, while Jesus' kingdom was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), focused on spiritual liberation from sin and eternal life. It highlights Jesus' **Divine Perception** or omniscience, as He "perceived" their intentions without being told, demonstrating His supernatural insight into human hearts ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). Furthermore, Jesus' **Withdrawal from Earthly Acclaim** underscores His rejection of worldly power and His unwavering commitment to His Father's will, which involved suffering and sacrifice, not popular enthronement. His solitude in the mountain also emphasizes His consistent practice of prayer and communion with God, a pattern seen throughout His ministry ([Mark 1:35](/mark/1-35 "Mark 1:35 - Jesus Prays in the Morning")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **perceived (Greek, _ginṓskō_):** This word signifies a deep, experiential knowing, not merely intellectual awareness. Jesus didn't just "guess" their intentions; He fully comprehended their inner motives and the implications of their actions. This speaks to His divine insight and omniscience, knowing what was in the hearts of men.
* **take him by force (Greek, _harpázō_):** This term conveys a sense of violent seizure, snatching, or carrying off against one's will. It vividly portrays the crowd's coercive and desperate intent, highlighting their readiness to impose their own agenda on Jesus, rather than submitting to His. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' voluntary and sacrificial path to true kingship.
* **departed (Greek, _anachōréō_):** Meaning "to retire" or "to withdraw oneself," this word emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and strategic retreat from the crowd's misdirected enthusiasm. It signifies a conscious act of disengagement from a situation that would compromise His divine mission, underscoring His autonomy and adherence to the Father's plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force,"**: This clause reveals Jesus' divine omniscience. He did not need to be told the crowd's intentions; He inherently knew their hearts and their misguided plan. The phrase "take him by force" indicates the crowd's aggressive and coercive intent, seeking to impose their will upon Him rather than submitting to His divine authority.
* **"to make him a king,"**: This specifies the ultimate goal of the crowd's forceful action. They desired to establish Jesus as an earthly, political monarch, believing He would lead a rebellion against Roman rule and restore the physical kingdom of Israel. This reflects their carnal understanding of the Messiah's role, focused on temporal power and national liberation.
* **"he departed again into a mountain himself alone."**: This final clause describes Jesus' decisive response. His withdrawal was a deliberate act of rejection of their worldly agenda. Retreating to a solitary mountain emphasizes His need for communion with the Father and His commitment to His spiritual mission, distinct from the popular clamor for earthly power. The phrase "himself alone" underscores His isolation from human misunderstanding and His singular focus on divine purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the crowd, in their attempt to make Jesus a king, fundamentally misunderstands the nature of His true kingship. They seek an earthly throne, while His kingdom is spiritual and eternal, established not through political force but through sacrificial love. **Symbolism** is evident in Jesus' withdrawal "into a mountain." Mountains in biblical narrative often symbolize places of divine encounter, revelation, and solitude for prayer, as seen with Moses on Sinai or Elijah on Horeb. For Jesus, it represents a retreat from worldly pressures to commune with God and reaffirm His divine purpose. There is also a strong **Contrast** between the crowd's worldly ambition and Jesus' spiritual mission, between human will and divine will, and between popular acclaim and solitary devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:15 profoundly illustrates the tension between human expectations and divine reality, a recurring theme throughout the Gospels. The crowd's desire for an earthly king, while understandable given their historical context, fundamentally misconstrued the nature of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' kingship is not about political power or military might, but about spiritual authority, sacrificial love, and the establishment of a kingdom "not of this world." His rejection of their offer underscores that His reign is over hearts and lives, bringing salvation from sin and eternal life, rather than liberation from temporal oppression alone. This event serves as a critical moment where Jesus clearly distinguishes His messianic identity from popular misconceptions, setting the stage for deeper theological revelations about His true purpose as the Son of God.

* [Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8-10 "Matthew 4:8-10 - Jesus Rejects Satan's Offer of Worldly Kingdoms")
* [Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Is Within You")
* [John 18:36-37](/john/18-36-37 "John 18:36-37 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 6:15 challenges us to critically examine our own motives and expectations when we approach Jesus. Are we seeking an earthly king who will solve our immediate problems, fulfill our material desires, or grant us worldly success? Or are we seeking the King whose kingdom is spiritual, whose salvation addresses our deepest spiritual needs, and whose reign transforms our hearts? Jesus' deliberate withdrawal teaches us the profound importance of discerning God's will over popular opinion or fleeting acclaim. It reminds us that true discipleship often involves rejecting the world's definitions of success and power, embracing humility, sacrifice, and a singular focus on Christ's true mission. Furthermore, Jesus' retreat to a solitary mountain serves as a powerful model for the necessity of solitude, prayer, and communion with God, especially after intense public ministry or when faced with significant temptations to compromise our calling. We must continually seek His face, not the applause of men, and align our desires with His eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "make Jesus a king" on my own terms, rather than submitting to His true kingship?**
* **How does Jesus' rejection of earthly power challenge my own desires for worldly success or influence?**
* **What role does solitude and prayer play in my life, especially when faced with pressures or temptations?**
* **Am I seeking Jesus primarily for what He can do for my earthly circumstances, or for who He is as the divine Savior and Lord?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not accept the crowd's offer to make Him king?**

Answer: Jesus did not accept the crowd's offer because their understanding of His kingship was fundamentally flawed and contrary to His divine mission. They desired an earthly, political king who would lead a rebellion against Rome and restore Israel's national glory. However, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, one "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), focused on liberating humanity from the bondage of sin and death, not merely from political oppression. Accepting their offer would have diverted Him from His true purpose—to suffer, die, and rise again for the salvation of the world ([Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection")). His kingship is eternal and spiritual, not temporal and political.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 6:15, with Jesus' profound rejection of an earthly crown, powerfully foreshadows the true nature of His kingship and the path to His ultimate enthronement. The crowd's desire to "take him by force, to make him a king" stands in stark contrast to the divine plan, where Jesus would become King not through human acclamation or political might, but through self-sacrificial love and obedience to the Father. His withdrawal to the mountain signifies His commitment to a kingdom established by suffering, death, and resurrection, rather than by worldly power. This verse points forward to Jesus' ultimate coronation on the cross, where He was ironically mocked as "King of the Jews" ([Matthew 27:37](/matthew/27-37 "Matthew 27:37 - The Inscription on the Cross")), yet it was there that He conquered sin and death, securing His spiritual reign. His true enthronement occurred at His ascension, when He was exalted to the right hand of God ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Jesus Exalted to God's Right Hand")), receiving "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Thus, John 6:15 is a pivotal moment revealing that Christ's kingdom is spiritual, eternal, and founded upon His redemptive work, inviting us to submit to His reign in our hearts, not to force Him into our worldly molds.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

John 7:3

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

John 7:4

For [there is] no man [that] doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

John 6:15

¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

John 6:21

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

Luke 19:38

Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Mark 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.