61 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias ). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick . 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain , and there He sat down with His disciples . 4 Now the Passover , the feast of the Jews , was near . 5 Therefore Jesus , lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip , "Where are we to buy bread , so that these may eat ?" 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do . 7 Philip answered Him, " Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little ." 8 One of His disciples , Andrew , Simon Peter's brother , said to Him, 9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish , but what are these for so many people ?" 10 Jesus said , "Have the people sit down ." Now there was much grass in the place . So the men sat down , in number about five thousand . 11 Jesus then took the loaves , and having given thanks , He distributed to those who were seated ; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted . 12 When they were filled , He said to His disciples , "Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing e will be lost ." 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten . 14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed , they said , "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world ."
15 So Jesus , perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king , withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone .
16 Now when evening came , His disciples went down to the sea , 17 and after getting into a boat , they started to cross the sea to Capernaum . It had already become dark , and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing . 19 Then , when they had rowed about three e or four miles , they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat ; and they were frightened . 20 But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid ." 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat , and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going .
22 The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there , except one , and that Jesus had not entered with His disciples into the boat , but that His disciples had gone away alone . 23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks . 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there , nor His disciples , they themselves got into the small boats , and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 6:1-24
Commentary on John 6:1-14
(Read John 6:1-14)
John relates the miracle of feeding the multitude, for its reference to the following discourse. Observe the effect this miracle had upon the people. Even the common Jews expected the Messiah to come into the world, and to be a great Prophet. The Pharisees despised them as not knowing the law; but they knew most of Him who is the end of the law. Yet men may acknowledge Christ as that Prophet, and still turn a deaf ear to him.
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.