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Commentary on Mark 6 verses 45–56
This passage of story we had Mat 14:22, etc., only what was there related concerning Peter, is omitted here. Here we have,
I. The dispersing of the assembly; Christ constrained his disciples to go before by ship to Bethsaida, intending to follow them, as they supposed, by land. The people were loth to scatter, so that it cost him some time and pains to send them away. For now that they had got a good supper, they were in no haste to leave him. But as long as we are here in this world, we have no continuing city, no not in communion with Christ. The everlasting feast is reserved for the future state.
II. Christ departed into a mountain, to pray. Observe, 1. He prayed; though he had so much preaching-work upon his hands, yet he was much in prayer; he prayed often, and prayed long, which is an encouragement to us to depend upon the intercession he is making for us at the right hand of the Father, that continual intercession. 2. He went alone, to pray; though he needed not to retire for the avoiding either of distraction or of ostentation, yet, to set us an example, and to encourage us in our secret addresses to God, he prayed alone, and, for want of a closet, went up into a mountain, to pray. A good man is never less alone than when alone with God.
III. The disciples were in distress at sea; The wind was contrary (Mar 6:48), so that they toiled in rowing, and could not get forward. This was a specimen of the hardships they were to expect, when hereafter he should send them abroad to preach the gospel; it would be like sending them to sea at this time with the wind in their teeth: they must expect to toil in rowing, they must work hard to strive against so strong a stream; they must likewise expect to be tossed with waves, to be persecuted by their enemies; and by exposing them now he intended to train them up for such difficulties, that they might learn to endure hardness. The church is often like a ship at sea, tossed with tempests, and not comforted we may have Christ for us, and yet wind and tide against us; but it is a comfort to Christ's disciples in a storm, that their Master is in the heavenly mount, interceding for them.
IV. Christ made them a kind visit upon the water. He could have checked the winds, where he was, or have sent an angel to their relief; but he chose to help them in the most endearing manner possible, and therefore came to them himself.
1.He did not come till the fourth watch of the night, not till after three o'clock in the morning; but then he came. Note, If Christ's visits to his people be deferred long, yet at length he will come; and their extremity is his opportunity to appear for them so much the more seasonably. Though the salvation tarry, yet we must wait for it; at the end it shall speak, in the fourth watch of the night, and not lie.
2.He came, walking upon the waters. The sea was now tossed with waves, and yet Christ came, walking upon it; for though the floods lift up their voice, the Lord on high is mightier, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4. No difficulties can obstruct Christ's gracious appearances for his people, when the set time is come. He will either find, or force, a way through the most tempestuous sea, for their deliverance, Psa 42:7, Psa 42:8,
3.He would have passed by them, that is, he set his face and steered his course, as if he would have gone further, and took no notice of them; this he did, to awaken them to call to him. Note, Providence, when it is acting designedly and directly for the succour of God's people, yet sometimes seems as if it were giving them the go-by, and regarded not their case. They thought that he would, but we may be sure that he would not, have passed by them.
4.They were frightened at the sight of him, supposing him to have been an apparition; They all saw him, and were troubled (Mar 6:50), thinking it had been some daemon, or evil genius, that haunted them, and raised this storm. We often perplex and frighten ourselves with phantasms, the creatures of our own fancy and imagination.
5.He encouraged them, and silenced their fears, by making himself known to them; he talked familiarly with them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. Note, (1.) We know not Christ till he is pleased to reveal himself to us. "It is I; I your Master, I your friend, I your Redeemer and Saviour. It is I, that came to a troublesome earth, and now to a tempestuous sea, to look after you." (2.) The knowledge of Christ, as he is in himself, and near to us, is enough to make the disciples of Christ cheerful even in a storm, and no longer fearful. If it be so, why am I thus? If it is Christ that is with thee, be of good cheer, be not afraid. Our fears are soon satisfied, if our mistakes be but rectified, especially our mistakes concerning Christ. See Gen 21:19; Kg2 6:15-17. Christ's presence with us in a stormy day, is enough to make us of good cheer, though clouds and darkness be round about us. He said, It is I. He doth not tell them who he was (there was no occasion), they knew his voice, as the sheep know the voice of their own shepherd, Joh 10:4. How readily doth the spouse say, once and again, It is the voice of my beloved! Sol 2:8; Sol 5:2. He said, egō eimi - I am he; or I am; it is God's name, when he comes to deliver Israel, Exo 3:14. So it is Christ's, now that he comes to deliver his disciples. When Christ said to those that came to apprehend him by force, I am he, they were struck down by it, Joh 18:6. When he saith to those that come to apprehend him by faith, I am he, they are raised up by it, and comforted.
6.He went up to them into the ship, embarked in the same bottom with them, and so made them perfectly easy. Let them but have their Master with them, and all is well. And as soon as he was come into the ship, the wind ceased. In the former storm that they were in, it is said, He arose, and rebuked the winds, and said to the sea, Peace, be still (Mar 4:39); but here we read of no such formal command given, only the wind ceased all of a sudden. note, Our Lord Jesus will be sure to do his own work always effectually, though not always alike solemnly, and with observation. Though we hear not the command given, yet, if thus the wind cease, and we have the comfort of a calm, say, It is because Christ is in the ship, and his decree is gone forth or ever we are aware, Sol 6:12. When we come with Christ to heaven, the wind ceaseth presently; there are no storms in the upper region.
7.They were more surprised and astonished at this miracle than did become them, and there was that at the bottom of their astonishment, which was really culpable; They were sore amazed in themselves, were in a perfect ecstasy; as if it were a new and unaccountable thing, as if Christ had never done the like before, and they had no reason to expect he should do it now; they ought to admire the power of Christ, and to be confirmed hereby in their belief of his being the Son of God: but why all this confusion about it? It was because they considered not the miracle of the loaves; had they given that its due weight, they would not have been so much surprised at this; for his multiplying the bread was as great an instance of his power as his walking on the water. They were strangely stupid and unthinking, and their heart was hardened, or else they would not have thought it a thing incredible that Christ should command a calm. It is for want of a right understanding of Christ's former works, that we are transported at the thought of his present works, as if there never were the like before.
V. When they came to the land of Gennesaret, which lay between Bethsaida and Capernaum, the people bid them very welcome; The men of that place presently knew Jesus (Mar 6:54), and knew what mighty works he did wherever he came, what a universal Healer he was; they knew likewise that he used to stay but a little while at a place, and therefore they were concerned to improve the opportunity of this kind visit which he made them; They ran through that whole region round about, with all possible expedition, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, and not able to go themselves; there was no danger of their getting cold when they hoped to get a cure, Mar 6:55. Let him go where he would, he was crowded with patients - in towns, in the cities, in the villages about the cities; they laid the sick in the streets, to be in his way, and begged leave for them to touch if it were but the border of his garment, as the woman with the bloody issue did, by whom, it should seem, this method of application was first brought in; and as many as touched, were made whole. We do not find that they were desirous to be taught by him, only to be healed. If ministers could not cure people's bodily diseases, what multitudes would attend them! But it is sad to think how much more concerned the most of men are about their bodies than about their souls.
Or, in the gathering of the twelve baskets full of fragments, is signified the time, when they shall sit on thrones, judging all who are left of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel, when the remnant of Israel shall be saved.
And He says to them, Be of good cheer, it is I, because we shall see Him as He is. But the wind and the storm ceased when Jesus sat down, that is, reigned in the ship, which is the Catholic Church.
"We have but five loaves, and two fishes."
Wherefore Mark also saith, "They understood not the saying, for their heart was hardened."
They continuing therefore to crawl on the ground, then at length He brings in His own part, and saith, "Bring them hither to me." For although the place be desert, yet He that feeds the world is here; and although the time be now past, yet He that is not subject to time is discoursing with you.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) He dismisses indeed the people with His blessing and with some cures. But He constrained His disciples, because they could not without pain separate themselves from Him, and that, not only on account of the very great affection which they had for Him, but also because they were at a loss how He would join them.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) This we must understand of Christ, in that He is man; He does it also to teach us to be constant in prayer.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Holy Scripture reckons four watches in the night, making each division three hours; wherefore by the fourth watch it means that which is after the ninth hour, that is, in the tenth or some following hour. There follows, And would have passed them.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or else, the first watch means the time up to the deluge; the second, up to Moses; the third, up to the coming of the Lord; in the fourth the Lord came and spoke to His disciples.
(in Marc. 2, 27) But it is with reason that we wonder how Mark says, that after the miracle of the loaves the disciples crossed the sea of Bethsaida, when Luke relates that the miracle was done in the parts of Bethsaida, unless we understand that Luke means by the desert which is Bethsaida not the country immediately around the town, but the desert places belonging to it. (Luke 9:10.) But when Mark says that they should go before unto Bethsaida, the town itself is meant. It goes on: And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
(in Marc. 2, 28) Not every man, however, who prays goes up into a mountain, but he alone prays well, who seeks God in prayer. But he who prays for riches or worldly labour, or for the death of his enemy, sends up from the lowest depths his vile prayers to God. John says, When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force and make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. (John 6:15) It goes on: And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
(ubi sup.) Buty Theodorus, who was Bishop of Phanara, wrote that the Lord had no bodily weight in His flesh, and walked on the sea without weight; but the Catholic faith declares that He had weight according to the flesh. For Dionysius says, We know not how without plunging in His feet, which had bodily weight and the gravity of matter, He could walk on the wet and unstable subtance.
(ubi sup.) The disciples indeed, who were still carnal, were amazed at the greatness of His virtue, they could not yet however recognise in Him the truth of the Divine Majesty. Wherefore it goes on, For their hearts were hardened. But mystically, the toil of the disciples in rowing, and the contrary wind, mark out the labours of the Holy Church, who amidst the beating waves of the world, and the blasts of unclean spirits, strives to reach the repose of her celestial country. And well is it said that the ship was in the midst of the sea, and He alone on land, for sometimes the Church is afflicted by a pressure from the Gentiles so overwhelming, that her Redeemer seems to have entirely deserted her. But the Lord sees His own, toiling on the sea, for, lest they faint in tribulations, He strengthens them by the look of His love, and sometimes frees them by a visible assistance. Further, in the fourth watch He came to them as daylight approached, for when man lifts up his mind to the light of guidance from on high, the Lord will be with him, and the dangers of temptations will be laid asleep.
(ubi sup.) Often then does the love of heaven seem to have deserted the faithful in tribulation, so that it may be thought that Jesus wishes to pass by His disciples, as it were, toiling in the sea. And still do heretics suppose that the Lord was a phantom, and did not take upon Him real flesh from the Virgin1.
(ubi sup.) In whatsoever heart, also, He is present by the grace of His love, there soon all the strivings of vices, and of the adverse world, or of evil spirits, are kept under and put to rest.
But when He had dismissed the crowd, He goes up to pray, for prayer requires rest and silence.
Now the Lord permitted His disciples to be in danger, that they might learn patience; wherefore He did not immediately come to their aid, but allowed them to remain in danger all night, that He might teach them to wait patiently, and not to hope at once for help in tribulations. For there follows, And he saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh unto them walking upon the sea.
See again how Christ, though He was about to put an end to their dangers, puts them in greater fear. But He immediately reassured them by His voice, for it continues, And immediately he talked with them, and said unto them, It is I, be not afraid.
Then by entering into the ship, the Lord restrained the tempest. For it continues, And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased. Great indeed is the miracle of our Lord's walking on the sea, but the tempest and the contrary wind were there as well, to make the miracle greater. For the Apostles, not understanding from the miracle of the five loaves the power of Christ, now more fully knew it from the miracle of the sea. Wherefore it goes on, And they were sore amazed in themselves. For they understood not concerning the loaves.
(non occ.) The Lord indeed by the miracle of the loaves showed that He is the Creator of the world: but now by walking on the waves He proved that He had a body free from the weight of all sin, and by appeasing the winds and by calming the rage of the waves, He declared Himself to be the Master of the elements. Wherefore it is said, 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.
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SUMMARY
Mark 6:52 offers a poignant explanation for the disciples' profound astonishment and fear after witnessing Jesus walk on water, attributing their reaction to a fundamental failure to comprehend the significance of the preceding miracle of the loaves. Despite having just experienced Jesus' miraculous provision for thousands, their hearts remained spiritually dull, preventing them from grasping the full extent of His divine power and identity, leading to their inability to process another astonishing display of His authority over creation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey its profound theological message. The use of Explanatory Clause is prominent, as the verse explicitly states the reason for the disciples' reaction ("For they considered not... for their heart was hardened"). This direct explanation serves to guide the reader's understanding, ensuring that the disciples' fear is not seen as mere human frailty but as a consequence of spiritual dullness. Irony is also present: the very individuals closest to Jesus, who have witnessed His power firsthand, are depicted as failing to grasp its significance. They are "insiders" who remain "outsiders" in terms of true spiritual perception. Furthermore, the phrase "their heart was hardened" functions as a form of Metonymy, where "heart" represents the entire inner person, including intellect, will, and spiritual capacity. The "hardening" itself is a Metaphor for spiritual insensitivity, likening their spiritual state to a physical object that has become impenetrable or unfeeling. This vivid imagery underscores the depth of their spiritual impediment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:52 serves as a powerful reminder of the human propensity for spiritual dullness, even in the face of overwhelming divine revelation. It highlights that witnessing miracles or experiencing God's blessings does not automatically translate into deep spiritual understanding or unwavering faith. The disciples, despite their proximity to Jesus and direct exposure to His power, struggled to move beyond a superficial understanding of His identity. This verse underscores the biblical truth that true spiritual perception requires a receptive heart, one that is open to the implications of God's actions and willing to connect them to His character and nature. It also foreshadows the ongoing process of spiritual growth, where understanding is often progressive and requires divine illumination to overcome human limitations and ingrained biases.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:52 offers a profound mirror for our own spiritual journeys. Like the disciples, we can often be so caught up in the immediate circumstances—the storm, the fear, the astonishment—that we fail to connect our present experiences with God's past faithfulness and His overarching character. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of spiritual receptivity, actively reflecting on God's interventions in our lives and seeking to understand their deeper implications for who He is and what He is doing. It reminds us that true faith is not merely acknowledging a miracle, but discerning the divine hand behind it and allowing that revelation to transform our understanding of God's power and love. We are called to guard against spiritual apathy or a hardened heart that prevents us from seeing God's ongoing work and His true nature, even when it challenges our preconceived notions. The patience of Jesus with His disciples, despite their struggles, offers hope and encouragement for our own journey of growth, reminding us that spiritual comprehension is a lifelong process of learning and yielding to divine truth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "their heart was hardened" truly mean in this context?
Answer: In Mark 6:52, "their heart was hardened" (Greek: pepōrómenē hē kardía autōn) does not imply active rebellion or malicious intent on the part of the disciples. Instead, it describes a state of spiritual dullness, insensitivity, or obtuseness. It means their minds and spiritual faculties were slow to perceive and understand the profound implications of Jesus' miracles. They had witnessed the feeding of the five thousand, a clear demonstration of Jesus' divine power over creation, yet they failed to "put it together" (the meaning of "considered not") with His identity. This spiritual opacity prevented them from connecting the dots when Jesus walked on water; instead of understanding it as another manifestation of the same divine authority, they were simply terrified. It's a condition of being unperceptive, rather than actively resistant, a theme that reappears in Mark 8:17-21 when Jesus challenges their lack of understanding after the second feeding.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 6:52, while highlighting the disciples' spiritual dullness, ultimately points to Christ as the one who patiently reveals Himself and perfects understanding. The disciples' failure to grasp the significance of the "loaves" underscores that Jesus is not merely a miracle worker, but the very Bread of Life who alone can truly satisfy spiritual hunger. Their hardened hearts reveal humanity's inherent inability to fully comprehend divine truth without divine intervention. Yet, Jesus does not abandon them. He continues to teach, lead, and patiently work with them, progressively opening their minds to understand the Scriptures and His mission (Luke 24:45). The ultimate fulfillment of this passage lies in Christ's completed work on the cross and His resurrection, which provides the true spiritual insight and transforms hardened hearts. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ promised to send (John 14:26), believers are given the capacity to understand spiritual truths that were once veiled, enabling them to truly "consider" and comprehend the full glory and authority of the One who walked on water and broke the bread. He is the Lord over all creation, and through Him, our spiritual eyes are opened (2 Corinthians 3:16).