Teks -- Mark 6:37-56 (NET)

6:37 But he answered answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “Should we go and buy bread for two hundred silver coins and give it to them to eat?” 6:38 He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five– and two fish.” 6:39 Then he directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 6:40 So they reclined in groups of hundreds and fifties. 6:41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to his disciples to serve the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. 6:42 They all ate and were satisfied, 6:43 and they picked up the broken pieces and fish that were left over, twelve baskets full. 6:44 Now there were five thousand men who ate the bread.

Walking on Water

6:45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dispersed the crowd. 6:46 After saying good-bye to them, he went to the mountain to pray. 6:47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone on the land. 6:48 He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. As the night was ending, he came to them walking on the sea, for he wanted to pass by them. 6:49 When they saw him walking on the water they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 6:50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 6:51 Then he went up with them into the boat, and the wind ceased. They were completely astonished, 6:52 because they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Healing the Sick

6:53 After they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored there. 6:54 As they got out of the boat, people immediately recognized Jesus. 6:55 They ran through that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever he was rumored to be. 6:56 And wherever he would go– into villages, towns, or countryside– they would place the sick in the marketplaces, and would ask him if they could just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Mar 6:38 - Go and see

Go and see ( hupagete idete ).

John says that Jesus asked Philip to find out what food they had (Joh 6:5.) probably after the disciples had suggested that Jesus send the crowd away as night was coming on (Mar 6:35.). On this protest to his command that they feed the crowds (Mar 6:37; Mat 14:16; Luk 9:13) Jesus said "Go see"how many loaves you can get hold of. Then Andrew reports the fact of the lad with five barley loaves and two fishes (Joh 6:8.). They had suggested before that two hundred pennyworth (dēnariōn diakosiōn . See note on Mat 18:28) was wholly inadequate and even that (some thirty-five dollars) was probably all that or even more than they had with them. John’ s Gospel alone tells of the lad with his lunch which his mother had given him.

Robertson: Mar 6:39 - By companies

By companies ( sumposia sumposia ).

Distribution expressed by repetition as in Mar 6:7 (duo duo ) instead of using ana or kata . Literally our word symposium and originally a drinking party, Latin convivium , then the party of guests of any kind without the notion of drinking. So in Plutarch and the lxx (especially I Macca.).

Robertson: Mar 6:39 - Upon the green grass

Upon the green grass ( epi tōi chlōrōi chortōi ).

Another Markan touch. It was passover time (Joh 6:4) and the afternoon sun shone upon the orderly groups upon the green spring grass. See note on Mat 14:15. They may have been seated like companies at tables, open at one end.

Robertson: Mar 6:40 - They sat down in ranks

They sat down in ranks ( anepesan prasiai prasiai ).

They half-way reclined (anaklithēnai , Mar 6:39). Fell up here (we have to say fell down), the word anepesan means. But they were arranged in groups by hundreds and by fifties and they looked like garden beds with their many-coloured clothes which even men wore in the Orient. Then again Mark repeats the word, prasiai prasiai , in the nominative absolute as in Mar 6:39 instead of using ana or kata with the accusative for the idea of distribution. Garden beds, garden beds. Peter saw and he never forgot the picture and so Mark caught it. There was colour as well as order in the grouping. There were orderly walks between the rows on rows of men reclining on the green grass. The grass is not green in Palestine much of the year, mainly at the passover time. So here the Synoptic Gospels have an indication of more than a one-year ministry of Jesus (Gould). It is still one year before the last passover when Jesus was crucified.

Robertson: Mar 6:41 - Brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples

Brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples ( kai apo tōn ichthuōn ).

Apparently the fishes were in excess of the twelve baskets full of broken pieces of bread. See note on Mat 14:20 for discussion of kophinos and sphuris , the two kinds of baskets.

Robertson: Mar 6:44 - Men

Men ( andres ).

Men as different from women as in Mat 14:21. This remarkable miracle is recorded by all Four Gospels, a nature miracle that only God can work. No talk about accelerating natural processes will explain this miracle. And three eyewitnesses report it: the Logia of Matthew, the eyes of Peter in Mark, the witness of John the Beloved Disciple (Gould). The evidence is overwhelming.

Robertson: Mar 6:45 - To Bethsaida

To Bethsaida ( pros Bēthsaidan ).

This is Bethsaida on the Western side, not Bethsaida Julias on the Eastern side where they had just been (Luk 9:10).

Robertson: Mar 6:45 - While he himself sendeth the multitude away

While he himself sendeth the multitude away ( heōs autos apoluei ton ochlon ).

Mat 14:22 has it "till he should send away"(heōs hou apolusēi ) with the aorist subjunctive of purpose. Mark with the present indicative apoluei pictures Jesus as personally engaged in persuading the crowds to go away now. Joh 6:41. explains this activity of Jesus. The crowds had become so excited that they were in the mood to start a revolution against the Roman government and proclaim Jesus king. He had already forced in reality the disciples to leave in a boat to go before him (proagein ) in order to get them out of this atmosphere of overwrought excitement with a political twist to the whole conception of the Messianic Kingdom. They were in grave danger of being swept off their feet and falling heedlessly into the Pharisaic conception and so defeating the whole teaching and training of Jesus with them. See note on Mat 14:22, Mat 14:23. To this pass things had come one year before the Crucifixion. He had done his best to help and bless the crowds and lost his chance to rest. No one really understood Jesus, not the crowds, not the disciples. Jesus needed the Father to stay and steady him. The devil had come again to tempt him with world dominion in league with the Pharisees, the populace, and the devil in the background.

Robertson: Mar 6:47 - When even was come

When even was come ( opsias genomenēs ).

The second or late evening, six p.m. at this season, or sunset on.

Robertson: Mar 6:47 - He alone on the land

He alone on the land ( kai autos monos ēpi tēs gēs ).

Another Markan touch. Jesus had come down out of the mountain where he had prayed to the Father. He is by the sea again in the late twilight. Apparently Jesus remained quite a while, some hours, on the beach. "It was now dark and Jesus had not yet come to them"(Joh 6:17).

Robertson: Mar 6:48 - Seeing them distressed in rowing

Seeing them distressed in rowing ( idōn autous basanizomenous en tōi elaunein ).

See also Mat 8:29 for the word basanizō , to torture, torment (Mat 4:24) with a touch-stone, then to distress as here. Papyri have dia basanōn used on slaves like our third degree for criminals. Elaunein is literally to drive as of ships or chariots. They drove the boat with oars. Common in Xenophon for marching.

Robertson: Mar 6:48 - About the fourth watch of the night

About the fourth watch of the night ( peri tetartēn phulakēn tēs nuktos ).

That is, between three and six a.m.

Robertson: Mar 6:48 - The wind was contrary to them (enantios autois ), that is in their faces and rowing was difficult, "a great wind"(Joh 6:18), and as a result the disciples had made little progress. They should have been over long before this. @@And he would have passed by them

The wind was contrary to them (enantios autois ), that is in their faces and rowing was difficult, "a great wind"(Joh 6:18), and as a result the disciples had made little progress. They should have been over long before this. @@And he would have passed by them ( kai ēthelen parelthein autous ).

Only in Mark. He wished to pass by them, praeterire eos (Vulgate). Imperfect tense ēthelen .

Robertson: Mar 6:48 - They thought

They thought ( edoxan ).

A natural conclusion.

Robertson: Mar 6:48 - And cried out

And cried out ( anekraxan ).

Cried up , literally, a shriek of terror, or scream.

Robertson: Mar 6:50 - It is I

It is I ( ego eimi ).

These were the astounding words of cheer. They did not recognize Jesus in the darkness. They had never seen him or any one walk on the water. His voice reassured them.

Robertson: Mar 6:51 - They were sore amazed in themselves

They were sore amazed in themselves ( lian en heautois existanto ).

Only in Mark. Imperfect tense picturing vividly the excited disciples. Mark does not give the incident of Peter’ s walking on the water and beginning to sink. Perhaps Peter was not fond of telling that story.

Robertson: Mar 6:52 - For they understood not

For they understood not ( ou gar sunēkan ).

Explanation of their excessive amazement, viz., their failure to grasp the full significance of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a nature miracle. Here was another, Jesus walking on the water. Their reasoning process (kardia in the general sense for all the inner man) was hardened (ēn pepōrōmenē ). See note on Mar 3:5 about pōrōsis . Today some men have such intellectual hardness or denseness that they cannot believe that God can or would work miracles, least of all nature miracles.

Robertson: Mar 6:53 - And moored to the shore

And moored to the shore ( kai prosōrmisthēsan ).

Only here in the New Testament, though an old Greek verb and occurring in the papyri. Hormos is roadstead or anchorage. They cast anchor or lashed the boat to a post on shore. It was at the plain of Gennesaret several miles south of Bethsaida owing to the night wind.

Robertson: Mar 6:54 - Knew him

Knew him ( epignontes auton ).

Recognizing Jesus, knowing fully (epi ) as nearly all did by now. Second aorist active participle.

Robertson: Mar 6:55 - Ran about

Ran about ( periedramon ).

Vivid constative aorist picturing the excited pursuit of Jesus as the news spread that he was in Gennesaret.

Robertson: Mar 6:55 - On their beds

On their beds ( epi tois krabattois ).

Pallets like that of the man let down through the roof (Mar 2:4).

Robertson: Mar 6:55 - Where they heard he was

Where they heard he was ( hopou ēkouon hoti estin ).

Imperfect tense of akouō (repetition), present indicative estin retained in indirect discourse.

Robertson: Mar 6:56 - Wheresoever he entered

Wheresoever he entered ( hopou an eiseporeueto ).

The imperfect indicative with an used to make a general indefinite statement with the relative adverb. See the same construction at the close of the verse, hosoi an hēpsanto auton (aorist indicative and an in a relative clause), as many as touched him. One must enlarge the details here to get an idea of the richness of the healing ministry of Jesus. We are now near the close of the Galilean ministry with its many healing mercies and excitement is at the highest pitch (Bruce).

Vincent: Mar 6:37 - Shall we go and buy, etc

Shall we go and buy, etc

This question and Christ's answer are peculiar to Mark.

Vincent: Mar 6:39 - By companies

By companies ( συμπόσια συμπόσια )

Peculiar to Mark. The Jewish dining-room was arranged like the Roman: three tables forming three sides of a square, and with divans or couches following the outside line of the tables. The open end of the square admitted the servants who waited at table. This explains the arrangement of the multitude here described by Mark. The people sat down, literally, in table-companies, arranged like guests at table; some companies of a hundred and some of fifty, in squares or oblongs open at one end, so that the disciples could pass along the inside and distribute the loaves

Vincent: Mar 6:39 - Green

Green

Mark only.

Vincent: Mar 6:40 - In ranks

In ranks ( πρασιαὶ πρασιαὶ )

Lit., like beds in a garden. The former adverb, by companies, describes the arrangement; this the color. The red, blue, and yellow clothing of the poorest orientals makes an Eastern crowd full of color; a fact which would appeal to Peter's eye, suggesting the appearance of flower-beds in a garden.

Vincent: Mar 6:41 - Brake and gave

Brake and gave ( κατέκλασεν , ἐδίδου )

The verbs are in different tenses; the former in the aorist, the latter in the imperfect. The aorist implies the instantaneous, the imperfect the continuous act. He brake, and kept giving out. Farrar remarks that the multiplication evidently took place in Christ's hands, between the acts of breaking and distributing.

Vincent: Mar 6:41 - All

All

Peculiar to Mark.

Vincent: Mar 6:41 - Were filled

Were filled

See on Mat 5:6.

Vincent: Mar 6:43 - Baskets full

Baskets full ( κοφίνων πληρώματα )

Lit., fillings of baskets . See on Mat 14:20. Mark alone adds, and of the fishes .

Vincent: Mar 6:44 - Men

Men ( ἄνδρες )

Not generic, including men and women; but literally men. Compare Mat 14:21, beside women and children; a detail which we should have expected from Mark.

Vincent: Mar 6:46 - When he had sent them away

When he had sent them away ( ἀποτάξαμενος )

Rev., more correctly, after he had taken leave . Unclassical, and used in this sense only in later Greek. So in Luk 9:61; Act 18:18; 2Co 2:13.

Vincent: Mar 6:48 - He saw

He saw ( ἰδὼν )

Participle. Rev., seeing. Better, however, the literal having seen. It was this which induced him to go to them.

Vincent: Mar 6:48 - Toiling

Toiling ( βασανιζομένους )

Lit., tormented. Rev., distressed See on Mat 4:24. Wyc., travailing. Tynd., troubles

Vincent: Mar 6:48 - Fourth watch

Fourth watch

Between 3 and 6 a.m.

Vincent: Mar 6:48 - Would have passed by them

Would have passed by them.

Peculiar to Mark.

Vincent: Mar 6:50 - They all saw him

They all saw him

Peculiar to Mark.

Vincent: Mar 6:50 - Spake with them

Spake with them ( ἐλάλησεν μετ ' αὐτῶν )

Both Matthew and John give the simple dative, αὐτοῖς , to them. Mark's with them is more familiar, and gives the idea of a more friendly and encouraging address. It is significant, in view of Peter's relation to this gospel, that Mark omits the incident of Peter's walk on the waves (Mat 14:28-31).

Vincent: Mar 6:51 - Ceased

Ceased

See on Mar 4:39.

Vincent: Mar 6:51 - Sore amazed

Sore amazed ( λίαν ἐκ περισσοῦ ἐξίσταντο )

Lit., exceedingly beyond measure. A strong expression peculiar to Mark. Ἐξίσταντο , were amazed. Compare the cognate noun ἔκστασις , and see on Mar 5:42.

Vincent: Mar 6:52 - The miracle of the loaves

Peculiar to Mark.

The miracle of the loaves ( ἐπὶ τοῖς ἄρτοις )

Rev., concerning the loaves. Lit., upon ; in the matter of. They did not reason from the multiplying of the loaves to the stilling of the sea.

Vincent: Mar 6:53 - Drew to the shore

Drew to the shore ( προσωρμίσθησαν )

Peculiar to Mark. Rev., moored to the shore, though the meaning may be near the shore. Ἀνέβη , he went up (Mar 6:51), seems to indicate a vessel of considerable size, standing quite high out of the water. They may have anchored off shore.

Vincent: Mar 6:55 - Ran round

Ran round

From place to place where the sick were, to bring them to Jesus. Matthew has they sent.

Vincent: Mar 6:55 - Carry about

Carry about ( περιφέρειν )

περί , about; one hither and another thither, wherever Christ might be at the time.

Vincent: Mar 6:55 - Beds

Beds ( κραβάττοις )

Condemned as bad Greek, but used by both Luke and John. See on Mar 2:4.

Vincent: Mar 6:56 - In the streets

Peculiar to Mark.

In the streets ( ἀγοραῖς )

Rightly, Rev., market-places . See on Mat 11:16.

Vincent: Mar 6:56 - Border

Border

See on Mat 9:20.

Wesley: Mar 6:40 - They sat down in ranks

The word properly signifies a parterre or bed in a garden; by a metaphor, a company of men ranged in order, by hundreds and by fifties - That is, fifty in rank, and a hundred in file. So a hundred multiplied by fifty, make just five thousand.

Wesley: Mar 6:43 - Full of the fragments

of the bread.

Wesley: Mar 6:45 - He constrained his disciples

Who did not care to go without him. Mat 14:22.

Wesley: Mar 6:46

Mat 14:23; Joh 6:15.

Wesley: Mar 6:48 - And he saw them

For the darkness could veil nothing from him.

Wesley: Mar 6:48 - And would have passed by them

That is, walked, as if he was passing by.

Wesley: Mar 6:52 - Their heart was hardened

And yet they were not reprobates. It means only, they were slow and dull of apprehension.

Wesley: Mar 6:53

Mat 14:34; Joh 6:21.

JFB: Mar 6:37 - He answered and said unto them

"They need not depart" (Mat 14:10).

JFB: Mar 6:37 - Give ye them to eat

Doubtless said to prepare them for what was to follow.

JFB: Mar 6:37 - And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

"Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little" (Joh 6:7).

JFB: Mar 6:38 - He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes

John is more precise and full: "One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (Joh 6:8-9). Probably this was the whole stock of provisions then at the command of the disciples--no more than enough for one meal to them--and entrusted for the time to this lad. "He said, Bring them hither to me" (Mat 14:18).

JFB: Mar 6:39 - And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass

Or "green hay"; the rank grass of those bushy wastes. For, as John (Joh 6:10) notes, "there was much grass in the place."

JFB: Mar 6:40 - And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties

Doubtless this was to show at a glance the number fed, and to enable all to witness in an orderly manner this glorious miracle.

JFB: Mar 6:41 - And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven

Thus would the most distant of them see distinctly what He was doing.

JFB: Mar 6:41 - and blessed

John (Joh 6:11) says, "And when he had given thanks." The sense is the same. This thanksgiving for the meal, and benediction of it as the food of thousands, was the crisis of the miracle.

JFB: Mar 6:41 - and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them

Thus virtually holding forth these men as His future ministers.

and the two fishes divided he among them all.

JFB: Mar 6:42 - And they did all eat, and were filled

All the four Evangelists mention this: and John (Joh 6:11) adds, "and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would"--to show that vast as was the multitude, and scanty the provisions, the meal to each and all of them was a plentiful one. "When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost" (Joh 6:12). This was designed to bring out the whole extent of the miracle.

JFB: Mar 6:43 - And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes

"Therefore (says Joh 6:13), they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten." The article here rendered "baskets" in all the four narratives was part of the luggage taken by Jews on a journey--to carry, it is said, both their provisions and hay to sleep on, that they might not have to depend on Gentiles, and so run the risk of ceremonial pollution. In this we have a striking corroboration of the truth of the four narratives. Internal evidence renders it clear, we think, that the first three Evangelists wrote independently of each other, though the fourth must have seen all the others. But here, each of the first three Evangelists uses the same word to express the apparently insignificant circumstance that the baskets employed to gather up the fragments were of the kind which even the Roman satirist, JUVENAL, knew by the name of cophinus, while in both the narratives of the feeding of the Four Thousand the baskets used are expressly said to have been of the kind called spuris. (See Mar 8:19-20.)

JFB: Mar 6:44 - And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men

"besides women and children" (Mat 14:21). Of these, however, there would probably not be many; as only the males were obliged to go to the approaching festival.

Jesus Recrosses to the Western side of the Lake Walking on the Sea (Mar 6:45-56).

One very important particular given by John alone (Joh 6:15) introduces this portion: "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone."

JFB: Mar 6:45 - And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before

Him.

JFB: Mar 6:45 - unto Bethsaida

Bethsaida of Galilee (Joh 12:21). John (Joh 6:17) says they "went over the sea towards Capernaum"--the wind, probably, occasioning this slight deviation from the direction of Bethsaida.

JFB: Mar 6:45 - while he sent away the people

"the multitude." His object in this was to put an end to the misdirected excitement in His favor (Joh 6:15), into which the disciples themselves may have been somewhat drawn. The word "constrained" implies reluctance on their part, perhaps from unwillingness to part with their Master and embark at night, leaving Him alone on the mountain.

JFB: Mar 6:46 - And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray

Thus at length getting that privacy and rest which He had vainly sought during the earlier part of the day; opportunity also to pour out His soul in connection with the extraordinary excitement in His favor that evening--which appears to have marked the zenith of His reputation, for it began to decline the very next day; and a place whence He might watch the disciples on the lake, pray for them in their extremity, and observe the right time for coming to them, in a new manifestation of His glory, on the sea.

JFB: Mar 6:47 - And when even was come

The later evening (see on Mar 6:35). It had come even when the disciples embarked (Mat 14:23; Joh 6:16).

JFB: Mar 6:47 - the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land

John says (Joh 6:17), "It was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them." Perhaps they made no great effort to push across at first, having a lingering hope that their Master would yet join them, and so allowed the darkness to come on. "And the sea arose" (adds the beloved disciple, Joh 6:18), "by reason of a great wind that blew."

JFB: Mar 6:48 - And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them

Putting forth all their strength to buffet the waves and bear on against a head wind, but to little effect. He "saw" this from His mountain top, and through the darkness of the night, for His heart was all with them: yet would He not go to their relief till His own time came.

JFB: Mar 6:48 - and about the fourth watch of the night

The Jews, who used to divide the night into three watches, latterly adopted the Roman division into four watches, as here. So that, at the rate of three hours to each, the fourth watch, reckoning from six P.M., would be three o'clock in the morning. "So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs" (Joh 6:19) --rather more than halfway across. The lake is about seven miles broad at its widest part. So that in eight or nine hours they had only made some three and a half miles. By this time, therefore, they must have been in a state of exhaustion and despondency bordering on despair; and now at length, having tried them long enough.

JFB: Mar 6:48 - he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea

"and draweth nigh unto the ship" (Joh 6:19).

JFB: Mar 6:48 - and would have passed by them

But only in the sense of Luk 24:28; Gen 32:26; compare Gen 18:3, Gen 18:5; Gen 42:7.

JFB: Mar 6:49 - But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out

"for fear" (Mat 14:26). He would appear to them at first like a dark moving speck upon the waters; then as a human figure; but in the dark tempestuous sky, and not dreaming that it could be their Lord, they take it for a spirit. Compare Luk 24:37.

JFB: Mar 6:50 - For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid

There is something in these two little words--given by Matthew, Mark and John (Mat 14:27; Mar 6:50; Joh 6:20) --"It is I," which from the mouth that spake it and the circumstances in which it was uttered, passes the power of language to express. Here were they in the midst of a raging sea, their little bark the sport of the elements, and with just enough of light to descry an object on the waters which only aggravated their fears. But Jesus deems it enough to dispel all apprehension to let them know that He was there. From other lips that "I am" would have merely meant that the person speaking was such a one and not another person. That, surely, would have done little to calm the fears of men expecting every minute, it may be, to go to the bottom. But spoken by One who at that moment was "treading upon the waves of the sea," and was about to hush the raging elements with His word, what was it but the Voice which cried of old in the ears of Israel, even from the days of Moses, "I AM"; "I, EVEN I, AM HE!" Compare Joh 18:5-6; Joh 8:58. Now, that Word is "made flesh, and dwells among us," uttering itself from beside us in dear familiar tones--"It is the Voice of my Beloved!" How far was this apprehended by these frightened disciples? There was one, we know, in the boat who outstripped all the rest in susceptibility to such sublime appeals. It was not the deep-toned writer of the Fourth Gospel, who, though he lived to soar beyond all the apostles, was as yet too young for prominence, and all unripe. It was Simon Barjonas. Here follows a very remarkable and instructive episode, recorded by Matthew alone:

Peter Ventures to Walk upon the Sea (Mat 14:28-32).

Mat 14:28 :

JFB: Mar 6:50 - And Peter answered Him, and said, Lord, If it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water

Not "let me," but "give me the word of command"--"command," or "order me to come unto Thee upon the waters."

Mat 14:29 :

JFB: Mar 6:50 - And He said, Come

Sublime word, issuing from One conscious of power over the raging element, to bid it serve both Himself and whomsoever else He pleased!

JFB: Mar 6:50 - And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked upon the water

"waters."

JFB: Mar 6:50 - to come to Jesus

"It was a bold spirit," says BISHOP HALL, "that could wish it; more bold that could act it--not fearing either the softness or the roughness of that uncouth passage."

Mat 14:30 :

JFB: Mar 6:50 - But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me

The wind was as boisterous before, but Peter "saw" it not, seeing only the power of Christ, in the lively exercise of faith. Now he "sees" the fury of the elements, and immediately the power of Christ to bear him up fades before his view, and this makes him "afraid"--as how could he be otherwise, without any felt power to keep him up? He then "begins to sink"; and finally, conscious that his experiment had failed, he casts himself, in a sort of desperate confidence, upon his "Lord" for deliverance!

Mat 14:31 :

JFB: Mar 6:50 - And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

This rebuke was not administered while Peter was sinking, nor till Christ had him by the hand: first reinvigorating his faith, and then with it enabling him again to walk upon the crested wave. Useless else had been this loving reproof, which owns the faith that had ventured on the deep upon the bare word of Christ, but asks why that distrust which so quickly marred it.

Mat 14:32 :

JFB: Mar 6:50 - And when they

Jesus and Peter.

were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

JFB: Mar 6:51 - And he went up unto them into the ship

John (Joh 6:21) says, "Then they willingly received him into the ship"--or rather, "Then were they willing to receive Him" (with reference to their previous terror); but implying also a glad welcome, their first fears now converted into wonder and delight. "And immediately," adds the beloved disciple, "they were at the land whither they went," or "were bound." This additional miracle, for as such it is manifestly related, is recorded by the fourth Evangelist alone. As the storm was suddenly calmed, so the little bark--propelled by the secret power of the Lord of nature now sailing in it--glided through the now unruffled waters, and, while they were wrapt in wonder at what had happened, not heeding their rapid motion, was found at port, to their still further surprise.

"Then are they glad, because at rest

And quiet now they be;

So to the haven He them brings

Which they desired to see."

Matthew (Mat 14:33) says, "Then they that were in the ship came [that is, ere they got to land] and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." But our Evangelist is wonderfully striking.

JFB: Mar 6:51 - and the wind ceased and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered

The Evangelist seems hardly to find language strong enough to express their astonishment.

JFB: Mar 6:52 - For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened

What a singular statement! The meaning seems to be that if they had but "considered [reflected upon] the miracle of the loaves," wrought but a few hours before, they would have wondered at nothing which He might do within the whole circle of power and grace.

Incidents on Landing (Mar 6:53-56).

The details here are given with a rich vividness quite peculiar to this charming Gospel.

JFB: Mar 6:53 - And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret

From which the lake sometimes takes its name, stretching along its western shore. Capernaum was their landing-place (Joh 6:24-25).

JFB: Mar 6:53 - and drew to the shore

A nautical phrase, nowhere else used in the New Testament.

JFB: Mar 6:54 - And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him

"immediately they recognized Him"; that is, the people did.

JFB: Mar 6:55 - and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was

At this period of our Lord's ministry the popular enthusiasm in His favor was at its height.

JFB: Mar 6:56 - and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment

Having heard, no doubt, of what the woman with the issue of blood experienced on doing so (Mar 5:25-29), and perhaps of other unrecorded cases of the same nature.

JFB: Mar 6:56 - and as many as touched him

Or "it"--the border of His garment.

JFB: Mar 6:56 - were made whole

All this they continued to do and to experience while our Lord was in that region. The time corresponds to that mentioned (Joh 7:1), when He "walked in Galilee," instead of appearing in Jerusalem at the passover, "because the Jews," that is, the rulers, "sought to kill Him"--while the people sought to enthrone Him!

Clarke: Mar 6:40 - By hundreds, and by fifties

By hundreds, and by fifties - " That is,"says Mr. Wesley, "fifty in a rank, and a hundred in file. So, a hundred multiplied by fifty, made just five thousand."But if they sat fifty deep, how could the disciples conveniently serve them with the bread and fish?

Clarke: Mar 6:41 - And blessed

And blessed - I think the word God should be inserted here, as in Mat 14:19. See the note there. The food we receive from God is already blessed, and does not stand in need of being blessed by man; but God, who gives it, deserves our warmest thanksgivings, as frequently as we are called to partake of his bounty.

Clarke: Mar 6:43 - Twelve baskets

Twelve baskets - These were either the baskets used by the disciples, see Mat 14:20, or baskets belonging to some of the multitude, who might have brought some with them to carry provisions, or other things necessary for the sick, whom they brought to Christ to be healed.

Clarke: Mar 6:44 - Were about five thousand

Were about five thousand - ὡσει, about, is omitted by a great majority of the best MSS. and by the principal versions. It is wanting in several editions: Bengel, Wetstein, and Griesbach, leave it out of the text. It is omitted by some in the parallel place, Mat 14:21, but it stands without any variation in Luk 9:14, and Joh 6:10. This miracle is mentioned by all the four evangelists. It is one of the most astonishing that Christ has wrought. It is a miracle which could not be counterfeited, and a full proof of the divinity of Christ.

Clarke: Mar 6:45 - To the other side before unto Bethsaida

To the other side before unto Bethsaida - John says, Joh 6:17, to Capernaum. It is probable our Lord ordered them to steer to one or other of these two places, which were about four miles distant, and on the same side of the sea of Galilee.

Clarke: Mar 6:47 - The ship was in the midst of the sea

The ship was in the midst of the sea - See all the parts of this wonderful transaction considered, on Mat 14:22-33 (note).

Clarke: Mar 6:49 - They supposed it had been a spirit

They supposed it had been a spirit - That is, by whom the storm had been raised.

Clarke: Mar 6:52 - Their heart was hardened

Their heart was hardened - See this explained Mat 14:33 (note).

Clarke: Mar 6:53 - The land of Gennesaret

The land of Gennesaret - This country lay on the coast of the sea of Galilee: it is described by Josephus as being exceedingly pleasant and fertile. It had its name of Gennesaret from גן, gen , a garden, and סר sar , a prince, either because the king had a garden there, or because of its great fertility.

Clarke: Mar 6:54 - They knew him

They knew him - Επιγνοντες, They recollected him; for he had before preached and wrought miracles in different places of the same country.

Clarke: Mar 6:56 - Villages

Villages - Probably small towns near cities

Clarke: Mar 6:56 - Country

Country - Villages at a distance from cities and large public towns. See the notes on Mat 14:34-36 (note)

Christ went about doing good - he confined his ministry and miracles to no place - wherever he went, they stood in need of his help; and whenever they required his assistance, they had it granted immediately. Our Lord’ s conduct, in these respects, is a perfect pattern for every preacher of his Gospel.

TSK: Mar 6:37 - give // Shall // pennyworth

give : Mar 8:2, Mar 8:3; 2Ki 4:42-44; Mat 14:16, Mat 15:32; Luk 9:13; Joh 6:4-10

Shall : Num 11:13, Num 11:21-23; 2Ki 7:2; Mat 15:33; Joh 6:7

pennyworth : ""The Roman penny is sevenpence halfpenny; as Mat 18:28, marg.""

TSK: Mar 6:38

Mar 8:5; Mat 14:17, Mat 14:18, Mat 15:34; Luk 9:13; Joh 6:9

TSK: Mar 6:39

1Ki 10:5; Est 1:5, Est 1:6; Mat 15:35; 1Co 14:33, 1Co 14:40

TSK: Mar 6:40 - by hundreds

by hundreds : It is generally supposed that they were so arranged as to be a hundred in rank, or depth, and fifty in front, or file; which would make the number just five thousand, and will reconcile this account with Luke’ s, who only speaks of their sitting down by fifties. Luk 9:14, Luk 9:15

TSK: Mar 6:41 - looked // blessed

looked : Mar 7:34; Mat 14:19; Luk 9:16; Joh 11:41, Joh 17:1

blessed : Mar 8:6, Mar 8:7, Mar 14:22; Deu 8:10; 1Sa 9:13; Mat 15:36, Mat 26:26; Luk 24:30; Joh 6:11, Joh 6:23; Act 27:35; Rom 14:6; 1Co 10:31; Col 3:17; 1Ti 4:4, 1Ti 4:5

TSK: Mar 6:42

Mar 8:8, Mar 8:9; Deu 8:3; 2Ki 4:42-44; Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16; Mat 14:20,Mat 14:21, Mat 15:37, Mat 15:38; Luk 9:17; Joh 6:12

TSK: Mar 6:43

Mar 8:19, Mar 8:20

TSK: Mar 6:45 - straightway // unto Bethsaida

straightway : Mat 14:22-33; Joh 6:15-17, Joh 6:18-21

unto Bethsaida : or, over against Bethsaida, Bethsaida, according to Josephus, was situated on the sea of Gennesaret, in the lower Gaulonitis (consequently on the east of the lake, as Pliny states), and at the beginning of the mountainous country; and it was raised from a village to the honour of a city by Philip, and called Julias in honour of the emperor’ s daughter. Some learned men, however, are of opinion that the Bethsaida mentioned in the gospels was a different place; and that it was situated on the western shore of the sea of Tiberias, in Galilee, near Chorazin and Capernaum, with which it is associated (Mat 11:21, Mat 11:23. Joh 12:21); and Bishop Pococke mentions the ruins of a town or large village in the plain of Huttin, about two miles west of the lake, still bearing the name of Baitsida, which he thinks occupies its site. Mar 8:22; Luk 10:13

TSK: Mar 6:46

Mar 1:35; Mat 6:6, Mat 14:23; Luk 6:12; 1Pe 2:21

TSK: Mar 6:47

Mat 14:23; Joh 6:16, Joh 6:17

TSK: Mar 6:48 - he saw // the fourth // he cometh // would

he saw : Isa 54:11; Joh 1:13; Mat 14:24

the fourth : Exo 14:24; 1Sa 11:11; Luk 12:38

he cometh : Job 9:8; Psa 93:4, Psa 104:3

would : Gen 19:2, Gen 32:26; Luk 24:28

TSK: Mar 6:49 - they saw // supposed

they saw : Job 9:8

supposed : Job 4:14-16; Mat 14:25, Mat 14:26; Luk 24:37

TSK: Mar 6:50 - it is I

it is I : Isa 43:2; Mat 14:27; Luk 24:38-41; Joh 6:19, Joh 6:20, Joh 20:19, Joh 20:20

TSK: Mar 6:51 - and the // and they

and the : Mar 4:39; Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4, Psa 107:28-30; Mat 8:26, Mat 8:27, Mat 14:28-32; Luk 8:24, Luk 8:25; Joh 6:21

and they : Mar 1:27, Mar 2:12, Mar 4:41, Mar 5:42, Mar 7:37

TSK: Mar 6:52 - they // their

they : Mar 7:18, Mar 8:17, Mar 8:18, Mar 8:21; Mat 16:9-11; Luk 24:25

their : Mar 3:5, Mar 16:14; Isa 63:17

TSK: Mar 6:53 - the land

the land : Mat 14:34-36; Luk 5:1; Joh 6:24

TSK: Mar 6:54 - knew

knew : Psa 9:10; Phi 3:10

TSK: Mar 6:55

Mar 2:1-3, Mar 3:7-11; Mat 4:24

TSK: Mar 6:56 - they laid // touch // the border // him

they laid : Act 5:15

touch : Mar 3:10, Mar 5:27, Mar 5:28; 2Ki 13:21; Luk 6:19, Luk 22:51; Act 4:9, Act 4:12

the border : Num 15:38, Num 15:39; Deu 22:12; Mat 9:20; Luk 8:44

him : or, it

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Mar 6:35-44 - See Poole on "Mat 14:15"

Ver. 35-44. We meet with the relation of this miracle Mat 14:15-21 , and shall again meet with it Joh 6:1-14 . John relates it with some more particular circumstances, telling us it was Philip that moved our Saviour to dismiss them so seasonably, that they might provide themselves food, and making Christ to propound the questions to Philip, where they should buy bread enough for them. He also tells us that it was Andrew who told our Saviour that there was a lad there had five barley loaves and two fishes. But all three of the evangelists agree in the main, both as to the quantity of victuals, five loaves and two fishes; and the quantity of the people fed with them, five thousand; and the number of the baskets full of fragments taken up, which was twelve. John also addeth the effect of this miracle upon the multitude, Joh 6:14 ; they said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. For further explication of this piece of history,

See Poole on "Mat 14:15" , and following verses to Mat 14:21 . See Poole on "Joh 6:5" , and following verses to Joh 6:13 .

Poole: Mar 6:45-46 - unto Bethsaida

Ver. 45,46. If this desert where Christ was were, as Luke saith, Luk 9:10 , a desert belonging to Bethsaida, those words, eiv to peran prov bhysaidan , are ill translated

unto Bethsaida and the marginal note in our larger Bibles is better, over against Bethsaida. Our Saviour here first sends away his disciples by water, then he dismisses the multitude to go to their own homes. Then he goeth up into a mountain to pray. We find Christ very often in the duty of secret prayer, very often choosing a mountain, as a place of solitude, for the performance of it, and very often making use of the night for it, which is also a time of quietness and solitude: which lets us know that secret prayer is necessary, not only for the bewailing, and confessing, and begging pardon for our secret sins, (for Christ had no such), but for our more free and more near communion with God; for although God filleth all places, yet we shall observe that God, in his more than ordinary communion with his people, hath not admitted of company, of which Abraham, and Moses, and Jacob, and all the prophets are sufficient instances.

Poole: Mar 6:46 - See Poole on "Mar 6:45 "

See Poole on "Mar 6:45 "

Poole: Mar 6:47-52

Ver. 47-52. See Poole on "Mat 14:24" , and following verses to Mat 14:33 . By the sea here is meant the lake of Gennesaret.

The fourth watch of the night was after four in the morning. The foregoing part of the night our Saviour had spent alone upon the mountain in prayer.

They were sore amazed in themselves, and wondered. For they considered not, &c. Had they diligently considered by what power five loaves and two fishes were multiplied to a quantity to feed five thousand men, besides women and children, they would not have been amazed, either at the sight of Christ safely walking upon the water, or at the wind ceasing when he came into the ship; but these things had not made that due impression upon their hearts which they ought to have done. The time was not yet come when Christ would have his Divine nature fully revealed to them, and till he opened their eyes, and wrought in their hearts a full persuasion of that, it was not in their power so to apprehend it, as to give a full assent to it, and to act accordingly. This is that which is here called hardness or blindness of heart.

Poole: Mar 6:53-56

Ver. 53-56. See Poole on "Mat 14:34" , and following verses to Mat 14:36 . The charity of this people to their sick neighbours is very commendable, and instructive of us as to our duty to do good to others, as to their bodily wants and necessities, so far as we are able; but how much greater is that charity, which is showed to people’ s souls, inviting them to Christ that they may be spiritually healed! It was not their touching the hem of his garment, nor of his body, which healed these sick persons, those who had a hand in crucifying of him did both; it was the virtue that went out from Christ, upon the testification of their faith, by coming to him, and touching, and desiring to touch, the hem of his garment: neither is it men’ s coming to the congregation, and hearing the word of God, that will heal their souls, unless there goeth forth a Divine power from the Spirit of grace upon men’ s hungering and thirsting after Christ in his ordinances, and by faith laying hold upon the promise exhibited in the preaching of the gospel.

Lightfoot: Mar 6:37 - Two hundred pence

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?   

[Two hundred pence.] I. Denarius and zuz are of the same value among the Rabbins. "The fourth part of a shekel of silver in the Targum is one zuz of silver. For a shekel of the law was { selaa. And so in the Targum, a shekel; is selaa; and is worth four denarii;" or pence.  

But now a penny and zuz are the same: "They call pence; in the language of the Gemara, zuzim."  

II. But now two hundred { zuzees; or pence; was a sum very famous, and of very frequent mention. "If one of elder years lay with a woman of less years, or if one of less years lay with a woman of elder years, or one that is wounded, their portion is two hundred zuzees." "If one gives another a blow upon the cheek, let him give him two hundred zuzees." "A woman that is now become a widow, or dismissed by a divorce, who was married a virgin, let her have for her portion two hundred zuzees."  

Hence, perhaps, is the same number of two hundred pence in the mouth of the disciples, because it was a most celebrated sum, and of very frequent mention in the mouths of all.

Lightfoot: Mar 6:40 - By ranks

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.   

[By ranks.] Rank by rank; in Talmudic language. The university of Jabneh is very frequently celebrated under the name of the vineyard in Jabneh. And R. Solomon gives the reason; Because the scholars sat there ranks by ranks, like a vineyard which is planted rank by rank.

Haydock: Mar 6:37 - For two hundred pence

For two hundred pence. See Matthew xviii. 28. The apostles seem to speak these words ironically, to signify that they had not so much money as could procure a mouthful for each of them. (Witham)

Haydock: Mar 6:45

The apostles were in a desert place belonging to Bethsaida, which probably was divided from it by some bay or creek, that ran into the land; and Christ only ordered them to pass over this to the city, where he might afterwards have joined them, when he had sent away the people. But in their passage a great storm arose, and they were driven by an adverse wind to the open sea, towards Capharnaum; or, probably, when they found the wind so violent, afraid of shipwreck if they neared the shore, they rowed out to sea. This reconciles the seeming discrepance of St. Mark and St. John, when notwithstanding the directions Christ had given his disciples to go before him to Bethsaida, we find them going to Capharnaum. (Rutter)

Haydock: Mar 6:48

Thus the divine mercy often seems to desert the faithful in the height of tribulation, but God only acts thus, that he may try their patience, and reward them more abundantly. (Nicholas of Lyra)

Haydock: Mar 6:52 - They understood not concerning the loaves

They understood not concerning the loaves; [3] i.e. they did not reflect how great a miracle that was which Christ had lately wrought, otherwise they would not have been so much surprised at his walking upon the sea. (Witham)

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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Non intellexerunt de panibus, Greek: ou gar sunekan epi tois artois.

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Gill: Mar 6:37 - He answered and said unto them, give ye them to eat // and they say unto him, shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat

He answered and said unto them, give ye them to eat,.... This he said to try their faith, and make way for the following miracle:

and they say unto him, shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? This might be just the sum of money they now had in the bag, as Grotius, and others conjecture; and the sense be, shall we lay out the two hundred pence, which is all we have in hand, to buy bread for this multitude? is it proper we should? is it thy will that so it should be? and if we should do so, as Philip suggests, Joh 6:7, it would not be enough to give every one a little: wherefore they say this, as amazed that he should propose such a thing unto them: or the reason of mentioning such a sum, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, might be, because that this was a noted and celebrated sum among the Jews, and frequently mentioned by them. A virgin's dowry, upon marriage, was "two hundred pence" ^c; and so was a widow's; and one that was divorced ^d, if she insisted on it, and could make good her claim: this was the fine of an adult man, that lay with one under age; and of a male under age, that lay with a female adult ^e; and of one man that gave another a slap of the face ^f. This sum answered to six pounds and five shillings of our money.

Gill: Mar 6:38 - And he saith unto them, how many loaves have ye // go and see // and when they knew, they say five loaves and two fishes

And he saith unto them, how many loaves have ye?.... This he said, not as ignorant, but as willing to try their faith yet more, and that the after miracle might be more manifest and illustrious:

go and see; meaning, either that they should examine their own store, if they had any; or rather go and see what was to be had upon the spot, among the company, for money;

and when they knew, they say five loaves and two fishes: when they had made inquiry what provisions there were, and the most that could be got at any rate, they tell him, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, particularly, that there was a boy among the multitude that had five barley loaves, and two small fishes; and, at the same time, suggests, that they were nothing for so great a company.

Gill: Mar 6:39 - And he commanded them to make all sit down // by companies upon the green grass

And he commanded them to make all sit down,.... Christ ordered his disciples, without any more ado, to cause the whole multitude, men, women, and children, to sit, or lie down, as they used to do at table when about to take a meal: and as they had no table before them, nor beds, or couches to sit, or lie down upon, he directed them to place them

by companies upon the green grass; that there might be some order among them, as at a meal; and that their number might be the more easily known; and that all of them might more plainly see the miracle that was to be wrought: and the provision be more orderly distributed to them.

Gill: Mar 6:40 - And they sat down in ranks // By hundreds, and by fifties

And they sat down in ranks,.... Or "beds": in such form as little beds are placed in a garden, or as rows of vines in a vineyard, in which form the scholars of the wise men sat in their schools: it is said ^g,

"R. Eliezer ben Azariah expounded before the wise men in the vineyard (i.e. the university) of Jabneh: though was there a vineyard there? but these are the disciples of the wise men, who are made, or placed, שורות שורות, "rows, rows", or "in ranks", as a vineyard.''

By hundreds, and by fifties; that is, an hundred in "each" bed, or row, and fifty in "each" bed, or row, as the word ανα, signifies: each distinct bed, or row, had either a hundred, or fifty in it.

Gill: Mar 6:41 - And when he had taken the five loaves and two fishes // he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves // and gave them to his disciples to set before them // and the two fishes divided he among them all

And when he had taken the five loaves and two fishes,.... Out of the hands of those that brought them into his own:

he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves: See Gill on Mat 14:19,

and gave them to his disciples to set before them; the multitude, in order to eat of them:

and the two fishes divided he among them all; that every one might have a part. The Syriac and Persic versions read, they divided; that is, the apostles.

Gill: Mar 6:42 - And they did all eat, and were filled.

And they did all eat, and were filled. See Gill on Mat 14:20.

Gill: Mar 6:43 - And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments // and of the fishes

And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments,.... Of the broken pieces of bread, after all had eaten, and were satisfied:

and of the fishes; what remained of them:, for though there was but one loaf for a thousand persons and more, and two small fishes to be divided among five thousand and more: yet, through the wonderful power of Christ increasing both, as they were distributing and eating, there was enough of both for them all, and such a quantity of each left as filled twelve baskets.

Gill: Mar 6:44 - And they that did eat of the loaves // were about five thousand men

And they that did eat of the loaves,.... And also of the fishes; for they all ate of both;

were about five thousand men; the word ωσει, "about", is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic and Ethiopic versions, reading five thousand men certain. The Evangelist Matthew adds, "beside children and women", Mat 14:21.

Gill: Mar 6:45 - 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

And straightway he constrained his disciples,.... The reasons of this is See Gill on Mat 14:22,

to get into the ship; in which they came to this place, and which was waiting for them:

and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida; or rather "to go to the other side over against Bethsaida"; for they were now in a desert belonging to that city, wherefore they were ordered to go, and did go to the other side of the sea of Tiberias, or Galilee, even to Capernaum, as appears from Joh 6:17;

while he sent away the people; See Gill on Mat 14:22.

Gill: Mar 6:46 - And when he had sent them away // he departed into a mountain to pray

And when he had sent them away,.... Either his disciples, or rather the multitude:

he departed into a mountain to pray: after his disciples were gone, and he had dismissed the people, he went from the desert where he had been, up into a mountain; being a retired place, to spend some time in private prayer to God; See Gill on Mat 14:23.

Gill: Mar 6:47 - And when even was come // the ship was in the midst of the sea // and he alone on the land

And when even was come,.... The second evening, and it was properly night:

the ship was in the midst of the sea; of Galilee, about twenty five or thirty furlongs from the shore; see Joh 6:19;

and he alone on the land; upon the mountain. This is observed, partly to show what distress the disciples were in, in the midst of the sea, having a hard gale of wind, and their master not with them; and partly to show that there was no way, humanly speaking, of Christ's getting to the ship, in order to go over; and is an illustration of the following miracle, of walking so many furlongs, as he must, upon the water, in a stormy, blustering night, to get to it.

Gill: Mar 6:48 - 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 // and would have passed by them

And he saw them toiling in rowing,.... He saw them either with his bodily eyes from the mountain on which he was; or he perceived in his Spirit, he knew, by virtue of his omniscience as God, what distress his disciples were in; being tossed about with the waves of the sea, and were labouring with all their might and main against the wind: and were vexed and tortured, as the word signifies; they were in the utmost pain and uneasiness of mind, as well as fatigue of body, assisting the men in rowing; for the ship they were in was no other than a vessel managed by oars; and hard work it was to keep it from being overset:

for the wind was contrary unto them; it blew from the other side they were making to, full in their face, hard against them; so that it was with great toil and difficulty, that they got any thing forward:

and about the fourth watch of the night; or three o'clock in the morning: so that it is very likely, that as the evening when they took to the vessel was sun setting, or about six o'clock, they had been nine hours at sea, and had got but twenty five or thirty furlongs from shore; See Gill on Mat 14:25;

he cometh unto them walking upon the sea: being in this distress, Christ came down from the mountain to the sea side; and then, by his divine power, as the mighty God, that treadeth on the waves of the sea, he walked upon the surface of the waters of it; "as on dry land", as the Persic version adds:

and would have passed by them; that is, he made as though he would; see Luk 24:28. By the course he steered, by the swiftness of his motion, and his seeming negligence of them, it looked as though he intended to have gone by them, and said nothing to them, though this was far from his real design.

Gill: Mar 6:49 - But when they saw him walking on the sea // they supposed it had been a spirit // and cried out

But when they saw him walking on the sea,.... See Gill on Mat 14:26;

they supposed it had been a spirit; a phantom, a spectre, an apparition, a nocturnal demon:

and cried out; as men affrighted at the sight, and fearing they should be hurt by it, or that it portended some evil to them; See Gill on Mat 14:26.

Gill: Mar 6:50 - For they all saw him, and were troubled // and immediately he talked with them // and saith unto them, be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid

For they all saw him, and were troubled,.... Had it been only seen by one, it might have been thought a fancy, and the effect of mere imagination; but as every one saw it, it was out of all doubt that so it was, and which gave them the greater concern:

and immediately he talked with them; as soon as they saw him, "that very moment", as the Syriac renders it; that so by hearing his voice their fears might be allayed:

and saith unto them, be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid; See Gill on Mat 14:27.

Gill: Mar 6:51 - And he went up unto them in the ship // and the wind ceased // and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered

And he went up unto them in the ship,.... That is, after Peter had desired he might be bid to come to him upon the water, and having got leave, made an essay; but the wind being boisterous, and beginning to sink, he cried out for help; when Christ stretched out his hand, and saved him; and then he, together with Peter, went up into the ship to the rest of the disciples, as is related by Matthew, Mat 14:28, though omitted by this evangelist:

and the wind ceased; from blowing; it was laid at once, as soon as ever Christ entered the ship:

and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. The Ethiopic version adds, "at him"; they were astonished, when they found it was Christ, and not a spirit; and they were more amazed at his walking upon the sea; and they marvelled still more abundantly, when they observed that the wind ceased upon his coming into the ship; their amazement was beyond expression, and therefore many words are made use of to signify it by.

Gill: Mar 6:52 - For they considered not the miracle of the loaves // For their heart was hardened

For they considered not the miracle of the loaves,.... Which they had seen but the day before; they did not attend to it, nor learn from it, as they might, the wonderful glory of Christ, and the greatness of his power; which was as much an act of omnipotence, as either his walking upon the water, or causing the wind to cease, or more so.

For their heart was hardened; or "blinded"; not by sin, or against Christ, much less in a judicial way: but there was a great deal of dulness and stupidity, and want of attention in them. The glory of Christ, which he manifested, and showed forth in his miracles, was not so clearly and fully discerned, attended to, and acknowledged by them, at it might reasonably be thought it would; for notwithstanding these miracles, which they daily saw, they stood in need of divine illuminations, that the darkness of their minds being removed, they might behold the glory of Christ, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father.

Gill: Mar 6:53 - And when they had passed over // they came into the land of Gennesaret // and drew to the shore

And when they had passed over,.... The lake of Gennesaret, or sea of "Galilee",

they came into the land of Gennesaret; See Gill on Mat 14:34; to Capernaum, as appears from Joh 6:17 for Capernaum was in the land of Gennesaret; to which agrees what Josephus says, that the land of Gennesaret was watered with a very excellent spring, which the inhabitants of that place called Capernaum ^h:

and drew to the shore: this is omitted in the Syriac and Persic versions: and the Arabic reads, "and they cast anchors".

Gill: Mar 6:54 - And when they were come out of the ship // straightway they knew him

And when they were come out of the ship,.... Christ and his disciples, and were ashore,

straightway they knew him; that is, the men of that place, as in Mat_. 14:35; see Gill on Mat 14:35; and so the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read here, "the inhabitants of that country", the country of Gennesaret; they knew him, having seen and heard him before.

Gill: Mar 6:55 - And ran through that whole region round about // and began to carry about in beds those that were sick // where they heard he was

And ran through that whole region round about,.... That is, the inhabitants of that part of the country where Christ landed, ran many of them themselves, and others sent messengers into all parts of it, on every side:

and began to carry about in beds those that were sick; or lame, or so disordered that they could not walk, or bear any other way of being carried: these they brought to him,

where they heard he was: in whatsoever part of the country they could learn he was in; for he went about from place to place doing good.

Gill: Mar 6:56 - And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country // they laid the sick in the streets // and besought him that they but might touch the border of his garment // and as many as touched him // were made whole

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country,.... Whether in smaller towns, or larger cities, or the fields, where were houses, here and there one:

they laid the sick in the streets; or "markets", in any public places:

and besought him that they but might touch the border of his garment; if they might not be admitted to touch his person, or he did not choose to lay his hands on them:

and as many as touched him; or "it", the border of his garment, as they desired:

were made whole; of whatsoever sickness, or disease, they were afflicted with; See Gill on Mat 14:36.