John 6:24

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

When {G3753} the people {G3793} therefore {G3767} saw {G1492} that {G3754} Jesus {G2424} was {G2076} not {G3756} there {G1563}, neither {G3761} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, they {G846} also {G2532} took {G1684}{G1519} shipping {G4143}, and {G2532} came {G2064} to {G1519} Capernaum {G2584}, seeking for {G2212} Jesus {G2424}.

Accordingly, when the crowd saw that neither Yeshua nor his talmidim were there, they themselves boarded the boats and made for K’far-Nachum in search of Yeshua.

So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.

when the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

John 6:24 captures a pivotal moment following two of Jesus' most remarkable miracles: the feeding of the five thousand and His walk on water. The verse depicts the persistent crowd, having realized Jesus and His disciples were no longer present at the site of the miracle, embarking on a determined search for Him.

Context

This verse immediately follows the extraordinary events of the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplied a few loaves and fish to feed a vast multitude. After this, the crowd's enthusiasm led them to attempt to seize Jesus and make Him king (John 6:15). Jesus, recognizing their carnal motives and avoiding political entanglement, withdrew to the mountain. Meanwhile, His disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee by boat, and Jesus later joined them by walking on water. When the people returned to the original feeding site on the eastern shore and found neither Jesus nor His disciples, their intense desire to locate Him led them to take available boats and cross to Capernaum, a significant hub of Jesus' Galilean ministry, where they correctly anticipated finding Him.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Human Pursuit of Jesus: The verse powerfully illustrates the human tendency to seek out and follow someone who performs extraordinary deeds or offers tangible benefits. The crowd's active pursuit across the lake highlights their earnest desire to be in Jesus' presence.
  • Motivation for Seeking: While the verse simply states they were "seeking for Jesus," the subsequent dialogue in John chapter 6 critically reveals their underlying motivations. Their pursuit was primarily for physical sustenance and further miraculous provisions, rather than for spiritual truth or a deeper understanding of Jesus' divine identity. This sets the stage for Jesus' profound discourse on the Bread of Life.
  • Jesus' Intentional Withdrawal: Jesus' actions in withdrawing from the crowd after the feeding (John 6:15) underscore His divine purpose. He was not an earthly king offering endless meals, but the giver of eternal life. His withdrawal prompts the crowd to make an effort to find Him, leading to a crucial confrontation about their spiritual understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "seeking" is zētountes (ζητοῦντες), which conveys the idea of an active, diligent, and earnest search. It emphasizes the crowd's determination to locate Jesus. However, Jesus later exposes the superficiality of this pursuit in John 6:26, clarifying that their search was motivated by physical satisfaction rather than spiritual insight gained from His miracles.

Practical Application

John 6:24 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, prompting us to examine our own motivations for seeking Jesus. Do we pursue Him primarily for what He can provide—comfort, security, healing, or material blessings—or are we seeking Him for who He truly is: the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the source of eternal life? True discipleship involves an earnest pursuit of His person, His will, and His kingdom, understanding that His greatest gifts are spiritual and eternal, far surpassing any temporal provisions.

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.

  • John 6:17

    And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

  • Mark 1:37

    And when they had found him, they said unto him, All [men] seek for thee.

  • Mark 6:53

    And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

  • Matthew 14:34

    ¶ And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

  • John 18:4

    Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

  • John 18:5

    They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

  • Luke 8:40

    ¶ And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.

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