15 Now when Jesus saw that the people were about to come and take him by force to make him a king, he went away again up the mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Sea

16 When evening came the disciples went down to the sea; 17 And they took a boat and went across the sea in the direction of Capernaum. By then it was dark and still Jesus had not come to them. 18 The sea was getting rough because of a strong wind which was blowing. 19 After they had gone three or four miles they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near to the boat; and they had great fear. 20 But he said to them, It is I, have no fear. 21 Then they readily took him into the boat: and straight away the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The People Seek Jesus

22 The day after, the people who were on the other side of the sea saw that only one small boat had been there, that Jesus had not gone in that boat with the disciples, but that the disciples had gone away by themselves. 23 Some other boats, however, came from Tiberias near to the place where they had taken the bread after the Lord had given praise. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, or his disciples, they got into those boats and went over to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 6:15-24

Commentary on John 6:15-21

(Read John 6:15-21)

Here were Christ's disciples in the way of duty, and Christ was praying for them; yet they were in distress. There may be perils and afflictions of this present time, where there is an interest in Christ. Clouds and darkness often surround the children of the light and of the day. They see Jesus walking on the sea. Even the approaches of comfort and deliverance often are so mistaken, as to become the occasions of fear. 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." If we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, though the night be dark, and the wind high, yet we may comfort ourselves, we shall be at the shore before long.

Commentary on John 6:22-27

(Read John 6:22-27)

Instead of answering the inquiry how he came there, Jesus blamed their asking. The utmost earnestness should be employed in seeking salvation, in the use of appointed means; yet it is to be sought only as the gift of the Son of man. Him the Father has sealed, proved to be God. He declared the Son of man to be the Son of God with power.