John 6:2

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

And {G2532} a great {G4183} multitude {G3793} followed {G190} him {G846}, because {G3754} they saw {G3708} his {G846} miracles {G4592} which {G3739} he did {G4160} on {G1909} them that were diseased {G770}.

and a large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miracles he had performed on the sick.

A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick.

And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick.

Commentary

Context of John 6:2

This verse opens a significant chapter in John's Gospel, immediately setting the scene for one of Jesus' most famous miracles: the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee, and a "great multitude" was actively following Him. This large crowd was not merely curious; their motivation is explicitly stated here. They had personally witnessed or heard about the remarkable healings Jesus performed on those who were diseased, particularly in the region of Galilee. This public demonstration of divine power was drawing widespread attention and drawing people from various towns and villages to His ministry.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Drawing Power of Divine Signs: The primary reason the multitude followed Jesus was the visible, tangible evidence of His power to heal. His "miracles" served as powerful attractors, demonstrating a unique authority over sickness and infirmity that no ordinary man possessed. This highlights how God often uses overt displays of His power to draw people's attention.
  • Motivations for Seeking Jesus: This verse subtly introduces a recurring theme in John's Gospel: the varying and often superficial motivations people had for following Jesus. Many were drawn by the promise of physical benefits—healing, provision, or relief from suffering—rather than a deep understanding of His spiritual message or His identity as the Son of God. This distinction becomes crucial later in the chapter.
  • Jesus' Compassion and Authority: Despite the crowds' potentially shallow motivations, Jesus consistently responded with compassion, using His divine authority to alleviate human suffering. His acts of healing were not just demonstrations of power but also expressions of His love for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "miracles" in the KJV is sēmeia (σημεῖα), which literally means "signs." In John's Gospel, Jesus' miraculous deeds are consistently presented not just as wonders or displays of power, but as profound "signs" that point to a deeper truth about His identity and divine mission. These signs are intended to reveal His glory and lead people to faith in Him as the Christ, the Son of God.

Practical Application

John 6:2 serves as a timeless reminder to examine our own motivations for seeking God. Are we primarily drawn to Christ by what He can *do for us*—His power to heal, provide, or solve our problems—or by who He *is*—the Lord, the Savior, the source of eternal life? While God certainly performs miracles and cares for our physical needs, His ultimate desire is to bring us into a deeper, spiritual relationship with Him. This verse encourages us to move beyond seeking mere physical benefits and to pursue a genuine faith that recognizes and worships Jesus for His true identity and purpose, which He further elaborates on in the same chapter concerning the Bread of Life.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 4:24 (5 votes)

    And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

  • Matthew 4:25 (5 votes)

    And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

  • Matthew 12:15 (2 votes)

    But when Jesus knew [it], he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

  • John 2:11 (1 votes)

    This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

  • Mark 6:33 (1 votes)

    And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

  • Matthew 15:30 (1 votes)

    And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

  • Matthew 15:31 (1 votes)

    Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.