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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers John 6:15–21. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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, Joh 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 ruling part of the Jewish church put upon him. They were concerned to see so great a benefactor to the world so little esteemed in it; and therefore, since royal titles are counted the most illustrious, they would make him a king, knowing that the Messiah was to be a king; and if a prophet, like Moses, then a sovereign prince and lawgiver, like him; and, if they cannot set him up upon the holy hill of Zion, a mountain in Galilee shall serve for the present. Those whom Christ has feasted with the royal dainties of heaven should, in return for his favour, make him their king, and set him upon the throne in their souls: let him that has fed us rule us. But,
[2.]It was an irregular zeal; for First, It was grounded upon a mistake concerning the nature of Christ's kingdom, as if it were to be of this world, and he must appear with outward pomp, a crown on his head, and an army at his foot; such a king as this they would make him, which was as great a disparagement to his glory as it would be to lacquer gold or paint a ruby. Right notions of Christ's kingdom would keep us to right methods for advancing it. Secondly, It was excited by the love of the flesh; they would make him their king who could feed them so plentifully without their toil, and save them from the curse of eating their bread in the sweat of their face. Thirdly, It was intended to carry on a secular design; they hoped this might be a fair opportunity of shaking off the Roman yoke, of which they were weary. If they had one to head them who could victual an army cheaper than another could provide for a family, they were sure of the sinews of the war, and could not fail of success, and the recovery of their ancient liberties. Thus is religion often prostituted to a secular interest, and Christ is served only to serve a turn, Rom 16:18. Vix quaritur Jesus properter Jesusm, sed propter aliud - Jesus is usually sought after for something else, not for his own sake. - Augustine. Nay, Fourthly, It was a tumultuous, seditious attempt, and a disturbance of the public peace; it would make the country a seat of war, and expose it to the resentments of the Roman power. Fifthly, It was contrary to the mind of our Lord Jesus himself; for they would take him by force, whether he would or no. Note, Those who force honours upon Christ which he has not required at their hands displease him, and do him the greatest dishonour. Those that say I am of Christ, in opposition to those that are of Apollos and Cephas (so making Christ the head of a party), take him by force, to make him a king, contrary to his own mind.
(2.)Here is an instance of the humility and self-denial of the Lord Jesus, that, when they would have made him a king, he departed; so far was he from countenancing the design that he effectually quashed it. Herein he has left a testimony,
[1.]Against ambition and affectation of worldly honour, to which he was perfectly mortified, and has taught us to be so. Had they come to take him by force and make him a prisoner, he could not have been more industrious to abscond than he was when they would make him a king. Let us not then covet to be the idols of the crowd, nor be desirous of vainglory.
[2.]Against faction and sedition, treason and rebellion, and whatever tends to disturb the peace of kings and provinces. By this it appears that he was no enemy to Caesar, nor would have his followers be so, but the quiet in the land; that he would have his ministers decline every thing that looks like sedition, or looks towards it, and improve their interest only for their work's sake.
2.Observe whither he retired: He departed again into a mountain, eis to oros - into the mountain, the mountain where he had preached (Joh 6:3), whence he came down into the plain, to feed the people, and then returned to it alone, to be private. Christ, though so useful in the places of concourse, yet chose sometimes to be alone, to teach us to sequester ourselves from the world now and then, for the more free converse with God and our own souls; and never less alone, says the serious Christian, than when alone. Public services must not jostle out private devotions.
II.Here is the disciples' distress at sea.
They that go down to the sea in ships, these see the works of the Lord, for he raiseth the stormy wind, Psa 107:23, Psa 107:24. Apply this to these disciples.
1.Here is their going down to the sea in a ship (Joh 6:16, Joh 6:17): When even was come, and they had done their day's work, it was time to look homeward, and therefore they went aboard, and set sail for Capernaum. This they did by particular direction from their Master, with design (as it should seem) to get them out of the way of the temptation of countenancing those that would have made him a king.
2.Here is the stormy wind arising and fulfilling the word of God. They were Christ's disciples, and were now in the way of their duty, and Christ was now in the mount praying for them; and yet they were in this distress. The perils and afflictions of this present time may very well consist with our interest in Christ and his intercession. They had lately been feasted at Christ's table; but after the sun-shine of comfort expect a storm.
(1.)It was now dark; this made the storm the more dangerous and uncomfortable. Sometimes the people of God are in trouble, and cannot see their way out; in the dark concerning the cause of their trouble, concerning the design and tendency of it, and what the issue will be.
(2.)Jesus was not come to them. When they were in that storm (Mat 8:23, etc.) Jesus was with them; but now their beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. The absence of Christ is the great aggravation of the troubles of Christians.
(3.)The sea arose by reason of a great wind. It was calm and fair when they put to sea (they were not so presumptuous as to launch out in a storm), but it arose when they were at sea. In times of tranquillity we must prepare for trouble, for it may arise when we little think of it. Let it comfort good people, when they happen to be in storms at sea, that the disciples of Christ were so; and let the promises of a gracious God balance the threats of an angry sea. Though in a storm, and in the dark, they are no worse off than Christ's disciples were. Clouds and darkness sometimes surround the children of the light, and of the day.
3.Here is Christ's seasonable approach to them when they were in this peril, Joh 6:19. They had rowed (being forced by the contrary winds to betake themselves to their oars) about twenty-five or thirty furlongs. The Holy Spirit that indicted this could have ascertained the number of furlongs precisely, but this, being only circumstantial, is left to be expressed according to the conjecture of the penman. And, when they were got off a good way at sea, they see Jesus walking on the sea. See here,
(1.)The power Christ has over the laws and customs of nature, to control and dispense with them at his pleasure. It is natural for heavy bodies to sink in water, but Christ walked upon the water as upon dry land, which was more than Moses's dividing the water and walking through the water.
(2.)The concern Christ has for his disciples in distress: He drew nigh to the ship; for therefore he walked upon the water, as he rides upon the heavens, for the help of his people, Deu 33:26. He will not leave them comfortless when they seem to be tossed with tempests and not comforted. When they are banished (as John) into remote places, or shut up (as Paul and Silas) in close places, he will find access to them, and will be nigh them.
(3.)The relief Christ gives to his disciples in their fears. They were afraid, more afraid of an apparition (for so they supposed him to be) than of the winds and waves. It is more terrible to wrestle with the rulers of the darkness of this world than with a tempestuous sea. When they thought a demon haunted them, and perhaps was instrumental to raise the storm, they were more terrified than they had been while they saw nothing in it but what was natural. Note,
[1.]Our real distresses are often much increased by our imaginary ones, the creatures of our own fancy.
[2.]Even the approaches of comfort and deliverance are often so misconstrued as to become the occasions of fear and perplexity. We are often not only worse frightened than hurt, but then most frightened when we are ready to be helped. But, when they were in this fright, how affectionately did Christ silence their fears with that compassionate word (Joh 6:20), It is I, be not afraid! Nothing is more powerful to convince sinners than that word, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; nothing more powerful to comfort saints than this, "I am Jesus whom thou lovest; it is I that love thee, and seek thy good; be not afraid of me, nor of the storm." When trouble is nigh Christ is nigh.
4.Here is their speedy arrival at the port they were bound for, Joh 6:17.
(1.)They welcomed Christ into the ship; they willingly received him. Note, Christ's absenting himself for a time is but so much the more to endear himself, at his return, to his disciples, who value his presence above any thing; see Sol 3:4.
(2.)Christ brought them safely to the shore: Immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Note,
[1.]The ship of the church, in which the disciples of Christ have embarked themselves and their all, may be much shattered and distressed, yet it shall come safe to the harbour at last; tossed at sea, but not lost; cast down, but not destroyed; the bush burning, but not consumed.
[2.]The power and presence of the church's King shall expedite and facilitate her deliverance, and conquer the difficulties which have baffled the skill and industry of all her other friends. The disciples had rowed hard, but could not make their point till they had got Christ in the ship, and then the work was done suddenly. If we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, have received him willingly, though the night be dark and the wind high, yet we may comfort ourselves with this, that we shall be at shore shortly, and are nearer to it than we think we are. Many a doubting soul is fetched to heaven by a pleasing surprise, or ever it is aware.
Historical interpretation
Seven Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
(Hom. xlii. 3) See what the belly can do. They care no more for the violation of the Sabbath; all their zeal for God is fled, now that their bellies are filled: Christ has become a Prophet, and they wish to enthrone Him as king. But Christ makes His escape; to teach us to despise the dignities of the world. He dismisses His disciples, and goes up into the mountain.— (Hom. xliii. 1). These, when their Master had left them, went down in the evening to the sea; as we read; And when even was now come, His disciples went down unto the sea. They waited till evening, thinking He would come to them; and then, as He did not come, delayed no longer searching for Him, but in the ardour of love, entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. They went to Capernaum thinking they should find Him there.
(Hom. xlii. 1) The mention of the time is not accidental, but meant to show the strength of their love. They did not mate excuses, and say, It is evening now, and night is coming on, but in the warmth of their love went into the ship. And now many things alarm them: the time, And it was now dark; and the weather, as we read next, And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew; their distance from land, So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs.
(Hom. xliii. 1) And at last He appears quite unexpectedly: They see Jesus walking upon the sea, drawing nigh. He reappears after His retirement, teaching them what it is to be forsaken, and stirring them to greater love; His reappearance manifesting His power. They were disturbed, were afraid, it is said. Our Lord comforts them: But He saith unto them, It is I, be not afraid.
(Hom. xliii. s. 1) He appeared to them in this way, to show His power; for He immediately calmed the tempest: Then they wished to receive Him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land, whither they went. So great was the calm, He did not even enter the ship, in order to work a greater miracle, and to show his Divinity more clearlyg.
(Hom. xliii. 1) Jesus does not show Himself to the crowd walking on the sea, such a miracle being too much for them to hear. Nor even to the disciples did He show Himself long, but disappeared immeditately.
(Hom. xliii. 1) Or take another explanation. This miracle seems to me to be a different one, from the one given in Matthew: for there they do not receive Him into the ship immediately, whereas here they doh: and there the storm lasts for some time, whereas here as soon as He speaks, there is a calm. He often repeats the same miracle in order to impress it on men's minds.
Wherefore then doth Christ let them go, and not show Himself? And again, wherefore doth He show Himself walking alone upon the sea? By the first He teacheth them how great an evil it is to be forsaken by Him, and maketh their longing greater; by the second, again, He showeth forth His power. For as in His teaching they heard not all in common with the multitude, so in the case of the miracles they saw them not all with the mass of people, since it was needful that they who were about to receive in charge the presidency of the world, should have somewhat more than the rest.
He allowed the storm to arise, that they might ever seek Him; He stilled the storm, that He might make known to them His power; He went not up into the ship, that He might make the marvel greater.
In order to increase the miracle before their eyes, he walked on the water and did not get into the boat. But the Evangelist says, “Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.” He records this in order to demonstrate that they did not take him but that, while they tried to bring him in, both the boat and the Lord reached land at an awesome speed. They could not doubt what the Lord had done or consider him a ghost when they saw that the boat had reached the land toward which they were going at such a speed, coupled with the fact that the Lord was with them.
The Lord not only releases the voyagers from dangers, wondrously shining on them, but also frees them both from toil and sweat, by His God-befitting Power thrusting forward the ship on to the opposite shore. For they were expecting that by rowing on still, they should with difficulty be able to reach the end, but He releases them from these their toils, revealing Himself to them in a very little time the Worker of many miracles to their full assurance. When then Christ appears and beams upon us, we shall without any labour succeed even against our hope, and we who are in danger through not having Him, shall have no more need of toil to be able to accomplish what is profitable for us, when He is present. Christ then is our deliverance from all danger, and the accomplishment of achievements beyond hope to them that receive Him.
But since we have discoursed on every portion of the subject singly, come and let us, joining the meaning hereof with the connection of the preceding portions, work out the spiritual interpretation. We said then that Jesus ascended into Heaven as into a mountain, that is to say, being received up, after His resurrection from the dead. But when this has taken place, then His disciples alone and by themselves, a type of Ecclesiastical teachers in succession throughout all time, swim through the billows of this present life as a kind of sea, meeting with varied and great temptations, and enduring no contemptible dangers of teaching at the hands of those who oppose the faith and war against the Gospel preaching: but they shall be freed both from their fear and every danger, and shall rest from their toils and misery, when Christ shall appear to them hereafter too in God-befitting Power, and having the whole world under His Feet. For this I deem His walking on the sea signifies, since the sea is often taken as a type of the world by Divine Scripture, as it is said in the Psalms, This great and wide sea, there are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. When Christ then cometh in the glory of His Father, as it is written, then shall the ship of the holy Apostles, that is, the Church, and they that sail therein, i. e., they who through faith and love toward God are above the things of the world, without delay and without all toil, gain the land, whither they were going. For it was their aim to attain unto the Kingdom of Heaven, as to a fair haven. And the Saviour confirms this understanding of all that has been said, in that he says to His Disciples at one time, A little while and ye shall no more see Me, and again a little while and ye shall see Me, at another again, Tribulation shall ye have in the world, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. But in the night the Lord cometh down from the mountain and visiteth His disciples who are watching, and they look on Him coming, not without fear (for they tremble) that something needful for our understanding may in this too be made known unto us. For He shall descend from Heaven, as in the night, the world yet sleeping and slumbering in much sin. Therefore to us too doth He say, Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. The parable too of the Virgins will no less teach us this. For He says that five were wise, five foolish: but while the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept: and at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him. Seest thou how at midnight the Bridegroom is announced to us? And what the cry is, and the mode of the meeting, the Divine Paul will make known, saying at one time, For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a summons, with voice of archangel, with the trump of God, at another of the saints who are raised up, WE which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. But the disciples being smitten with fear, albeit they saw Him coming, and were found in toil and watching, signifies that the Judge will come terrible to all, and that the righteous man will surely quake within himself, proven as by fire, albeit ever foreseeing Him Who was to come, and not shrinking from toils in virtue, nourished in vigilance alike and good watching. But the Lord doth not enter into the ship with His disciples, as though He were going to sail with them, but rather moveth the ship on to the land. For Christ will not appear co-working any more with those who honour Him, unto their achievement of virtue, but to give to them that have already achieved their looked-for end.
Observe the three miracles here; the first, His walking on the sea; the second, His stilling the waves; the third, His putting them immediately on shore, which they were some distance off, when our Lord appeared.
When either men or devils try to terrify us, let us hear Christ saying, It is I, be not afraid, i. e. I am ever near you, God unchangeable, immoveable; let not any false fears destroy your faith in Me. Observe too our Lord did not come when the danger was beginning, but when it was ending. He suffers us to remain in the midst of dangers and tribulations, that we may be proved thereby, and flee for succour to Him Who is able to give us deliverance when we least expect it. When man's understanding can no longer help him, then the Divine deliverance comes. If we are willing also to receive Christ into the ship, i. e. to live in our hearts, we shall find ourselves immediately in the place, where we wish to be, i. e. heaven.
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Summary
John 6:21 concludes a profound display of Jesus' divine authority, depicting the disciples' willing acceptance of Him into their storm-tossed boat, followed by an immediate and miraculous transportation of the vessel to their intended destination. This verse underscores the transformative power of Christ's presence, turning fear and struggle into peace and supernatural progress, and highlighting His sovereignty over the natural world, time, and space.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the climactic resolution to the dramatic narrative initiated by Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-15). After sending the crowds away and instructing His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, Jesus Himself withdraws to pray on a mountain (John 6:15-17). The disciples, caught in a violent storm and struggling against strong winds, are then terrified to see Jesus walking on the water towards them (John 6:18-19). Their initial fear, mistaking Him for a ghost, is dispelled by Jesus' comforting words, "It is I; be not afraid" (John 6:20). Thus, John 6:21 marks the moment of their acceptance and the immediate, supernatural conclusion to their ordeal, setting the stage for the next day's discourse on the Bread of Life.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Sea of Tiberias) was notorious for sudden, violent storms due to its geographical location, nestled between hills that channeled strong winds down onto its surface. Fishermen, like many of Jesus' disciples, were intimately familiar with its dangers. Traveling by boat was a common and often necessary mode of transport between towns on its shores. The Jewish culture of the time was deeply rooted in the Old Testament, which frequently portrayed God's power over creation, particularly the sea, as a sign of His sovereignty (e.g., Psalm 89:9, Psalm 107:29). For Jesus to walk on water and then instantaneously transport the boat would have resonated profoundly with these cultural and theological understandings, signaling a divine authority beyond human comprehension.
Key Themes
John 6:21 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' Divine Sovereignty and Power, demonstrating His absolute control not only over the elements (wind and waves, as seen in the preceding verses) but also over space and time. This miracle, unique in its instantaneous transportation, underscores Jesus' supernatural nature, aligning with John's consistent portrayal of Jesus as God incarnate. Secondly, the theme of Faith and Reception is evident in the disciples' "willingly received him." Despite their initial fear, their decision to welcome Jesus into their boat signifies a crucial step of trust and acceptance, which is a recurring motif in John's Gospel concerning belief in Christ (e.g., John 1:12). Finally, the narrative foreshadows the Peace and Security found in Christ's presence, illustrating how His arrival transforms a perilous situation into one of immediate safety and rest, a spiritual truth echoed throughout the New Testament regarding the peace He offers His followers, as seen in Philippians 4:7.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word indicates a deliberate choice, a desire, or an inclination. It suggests that the disciples' reception of Jesus was not coerced but came from a conscious act of their will. After their initial fear and Jesus' reassuring words, they chose to welcome Him, signifying a shift from terror to trust.
This verb means "to take," "to get hold of," or "to accept." In this context, it emphasizes the active role of the disciples in taking Jesus into their boat. It's not a passive reception but an intentional act of bringing Him aboard, signifying their acceptance of His person and presence.
This adverb highlights the instantaneous nature of the event. It stresses that the moment Jesus was received into the boat, the ship was at its destination. There was no further journey, no struggle against the remaining storm; the arrival was supernatural and without delay, emphasizing Jesus' absolute power over distance and time.
Verse Breakdown
"Then they willingly received him into the ship:"
This clause marks the turning point in the disciples' ordeal. Their initial fear, having mistaken Jesus for a ghost, gives way to recognition and a conscious, intentional act of welcoming Him. The "willingly" (from thélō) underscores that this was a choice, a decision to trust and accept Jesus after His calming words. Their reception of Him into their vessel signifies their acceptance of His presence and authority amidst their struggle.
"and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."
This second clause reveals the astonishing, supernatural outcome of Jesus' presence. The adverb "immediately" (from euthéōs) emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the transportation. The boat did not sail the remaining distance; it was supernaturally conveyed to their destination the moment Jesus entered. This demonstrates Jesus' absolute sovereignty not only over the elements of the storm but also over space and time itself, performing a miracle of transportation that transcends natural laws.
Literary Devices
The passage employs several powerful literary devices. Divine Intervention is the most prominent, as Jesus' presence directly and instantaneously alters the physical reality of the disciples' journey. The sudden arrival at the shore, without any apparent travel, is a clear act of God's direct power, emphasizing Jesus' supernatural nature. The use of Hyperbole (or perhaps Exaggeration for Effect) in the "immediately" reaching the shore highlights the extraordinary nature of the miracle, pushing beyond the bounds of natural explanation to underscore divine omnipotence. Furthermore, there is Symbolism at play; the ship represents the disciples' lives or the church, struggling against the "storms" of the world. Jesus' entry into the boat, bringing immediate peace and progress, symbolizes the transformative and saving power of His presence in the lives of believers, guiding them safely to their ultimate destination.
Theological and Thematic Connections
John 6:21 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of Jesus and the impact of His presence. It powerfully affirms His divine sovereignty, not merely over the raging sea but over the very fabric of space and time. The instantaneous arrival at the shore is a unique miracle that transcends the calming of a storm, demonstrating an authority that belongs to God alone. This event reinforces the consistent Johannine theme of Jesus as the Son of God, possessing inherent divine power and authority, capable of bringing immediate peace and resolution to the most challenging circumstances. It teaches us that Christ's presence fundamentally alters reality, turning human struggle into divine ease and fear into faith.
Reflection and Application
The narrative of John 6:21 is a powerful reminder that inviting Jesus into our personal "ships" – whether they are filled with the storms of anxiety, uncertainty, or overwhelming challenges – can lead to immediate and supernatural transformation. Just as the disciples' fear gave way to peace and their struggle to instantaneous arrival upon receiving Jesus, so too can our burdens be lifted and our paths made clear by His presence. This verse encourages us to actively and willingly welcome Christ into every aspect of our lives, trusting that His divine power is sufficient to navigate any storm and to bring us safely to our desired destination, often in ways that defy natural explanation. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, personal reception of the living Christ, anticipating His intervention and guidance in our daily walk.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was the "immediate" arrival of the ship a separate miracle, or part of Jesus walking on water?
While it immediately follows Jesus walking on water and calming the disciples' fear, the instantaneous transportation of the boat to the shore is presented as a distinct and additional miracle. The text emphasizes that "immediately the ship was at the land," implying a supernatural acceleration or translation of the vessel, rather than merely the calming of the storm allowing them to sail the rest of the way. This unique detail, recorded only by John, highlights Jesus' extraordinary power over space and time, demonstrating a level of divine authority beyond simply controlling the elements, as seen when Jesus calms the storm in other Gospels.
What is the significance of the disciples "willingly received him" into the ship?
The phrase "willingly received him" (Greek: thelō and lambanō) is highly significant. It indicates a conscious and deliberate choice on the part of the disciples. After their initial fear and mistaking Jesus for a ghost, His reassuring words, "It is I; be not afraid" (John 6:20), led them to overcome their terror and actively welcome Him. This willingness underscores their growing trust and recognition of His divine identity. It serves as an example for believers today, emphasizing the importance of a volitional, faith-filled reception of Christ into one's life, especially during times of distress, leading to His transformative presence and intervention, as seen in the broader narrative of John's Gospel.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
John 6:21, with its depiction of Jesus' power over creation and His ability to instantaneously transport the disciples to their destination, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. This miracle is not merely an isolated display of power but a testament to Jesus' identity as the sovereign Lord, through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" (Colossians 1:16). His presence in the storm-tossed boat, bringing immediate peace and progress, symbolizes His role as the one who brings His people safely through the storms of life to their eternal home. Just as He brought the disciples to the physical shore, so He promises to bring all who willingly receive Him into the spiritual "land" of His kingdom, a new creation where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). This instantaneous arrival points to His ultimate authority over death and sin, culminating in His resurrection and ascension, and His promise to return to gather His own, bringing them "home" to be with Him forever (John 14:3). The miracle in John 6:21 thus serves as a microcosm of salvation history, where Christ's decisive intervention transforms a perilous journey into a secure arrival, all by His divine power and grace.