19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[1] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.

Other Translations of John 6:19

King James Version

19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

English Standard Version

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,Greek twenty-five or thirty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.

The Message

19 They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless,

New King James Version

19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.

New Living Translation

19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 6:19

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.