John 6:19

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

So {G3767} when they had rowed {G1643} about {G5613} five {G4002} and twenty {G1501} or {G2228} thirty {G5144} furlongs {G4712}, they see {G2334} Jesus {G2424} walking {G4043} on {G1909} the sea {G2281}, and {G2532} drawing {G1096} nigh {G1451} unto the ship {G4143}: and {G2532} they were afraid {G5399}.

They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Yeshua approaching the boat, walking on the lake! They were terrified;

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified.

When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid.

John 6:19 describes a powerful moment during Jesus' ministry on the Sea of Galilee, immediately following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. This verse captures the disciples' encounter with Jesus walking on the water, a profound display of His divine authority and power.

Context

This verse occurs after Jesus had miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish (John 6:1-14). Following this, He sent His disciples ahead in a boat while He went up a mountain to pray alone. A storm arose on the sea, and the disciples were struggling against strong winds and waves. After rowing "about five and twenty or thirty furlongs" (roughly 3 to 3.75 miles), they were far from shore and in distress. This miracle is also recounted in the Gospels of Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52, highlighting its significance in the early Christian narrative.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Authority: Jesus' ability to walk on the tumultuous sea demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation and the laws of nature. It reveals Him as truly God, not merely a prophet or teacher.
  • Jesus' Presence in Adversity: Even in the midst of a storm and the disciples' struggle, Jesus comes to them. His approach signifies His constant awareness of His followers' needs and His willingness to intervene in their difficulties.
  • Human Fear and Awe: The disciples' reaction of being "afraid" is a natural human response to encountering the supernatural, especially under such frightening circumstances. It underscores the profound and awe-inspiring nature of the miracle.

Linguistic Insights

The term "furlongs" (Greek: stadia) refers to a unit of distance, approximately 600 feet or 1/8 of a Roman mile. The mention of "five and twenty or thirty furlongs" emphasizes how far out the disciples were, adding to the peril of their situation and the wonder of Jesus' arrival. The phrase "walking on the sea" (Greek: peripatounta epi tēs thalassēs) clearly denotes a supernatural act, transcending physical limitations and asserting divine control over the elements.

Practical Application

John 6:19 offers powerful reassurance for believers today. Just as Jesus came to His disciples in their storm, He remains present with us in our own challenges and fears. When we feel overwhelmed by life's "storms," this verse reminds us that Jesus has authority over all circumstances. It encourages us to cast our anxieties upon Him and trust in His divine presence and power to bring us safely through. The disciples' initial fear eventually turned to worship, inviting us to move from fear to faith in the face of the unknown.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 6:47

    And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

  • Mark 6:49

    But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

  • Matthew 14:25

    And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

  • Matthew 14:26

    And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

  • John 14:18

    I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

  • Job 9:8

    Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

  • Psalms 93:4

    The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back