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In this lesson:
Two more miracles. Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on water. Study Tip: The Bible can be challenging. It helps to study more than one translation. As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
Jesus walks on water.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 6:1-21
The fourth and fifth miracles in John 1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. 2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. 3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore 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. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. 16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 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. 20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. |
Margin notes:
"The sea of Galilee." (6:1) - Also called the Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3; 13:27), Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), or The Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1). The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake, thirteen miles long, seven miles wide, 150 feet deep, and in Jesus' day, surrounded by approximately thirty fishing villages. Galilee's freshwater was the primary water source for the area and supported a board agricultural base and various industries such as boat manufacturing and tanning. The Sea of Galilee sits 680 feet below sea level in a basin surrounded by mountains. "Passover...was nigh." (6:4) - Means, "Passover...was near." Next year at Passover, Jesus will be crucified. "A great company." (6:5) - "A large crowd." "He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread?" (6:5) - Jesus and His disciples are on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee. Philip was from nearby Bethsaida (John 1:44) and would have known where to buy food. "This he said to prove him." (6:6) - "He said this to test him (Philip)." "Two hundred pennyworth." (6:7) - This is more money than Jesus, and the twelve disciples had. "About five thousand." (6:10) - There were five thousand men (Matthew 14:21). Counting women and children, Jesus fed more than five thousand. "Jesus took the loaves." (6:11) - This is the fourth miracle reported by John. The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels; it is similar to Moses feeding the Israelites manna (bread) from heaven (Exodus 16) and Elisha feeding a hundred people with twenty loaves of barley and a few ears of corn (2 Kings 4:42-44). "Given thanks." (6:11) - The Jewish custom was to bless God, not the food. "As much as they would." (6:11) - "As much as they wanted." "Which remained over and above unto them that had eaten." (6:13) - "Which was left over after the people had eaten." "That prophet that should come." (6:14) - "The prophet that was expected to arrive." This means Jesus is the long-awaited prophet prophesied in Genesis 49:10; Number 24:17; Deuteronomy 18:15; 18:18 and Micah 5:2 and mentioned in Acts 3:22 and 7:37. "When even was now come" (6:16) - "When evening came." "The sea arose." (6:18) - "The sea grew rough." The Sea of Galilee suffers many unexpected storms. According to the book "Matthew, the Life Change Series," (Published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; pg. 65), "cool air from the Mediterranean is drawn down through the narrow mountain passes and clashes with the hot, humid air lying over the lake" causing storms that sometimes include twenty-foot waves. "Five and twenty or thirty furlongs." (6:19) - "Three or four miles." "Jesus walking on the sea." (6:19) - By now, it is the fourth watch of the night, or after 3 AM (Mark 6:48). As recorded by John, Jesus performed this fifth miracle as proof of His divinity for the disciple's benefit. See Today's question below. "Immediately the ship was at the land." (6:21) - Another miracle? |
You can learn more about Jesus feeding the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21 (lesson 29), Mark 6:33-44 (lesson 75) and Luke 9:10-17 (lesson 124). Except for Christ's resurrection, this is the only miracle mentioned in all four Gospels.
New Living Translation
John 6:1-21
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.
3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.
4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"
6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up.
9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted."
13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"
15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water
16 That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.
17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.
18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.
19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,
20 but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"
21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.
3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.
4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"
6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up.
9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted."
13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"
15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water
16 That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.
17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.
18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.
19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,
20 but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"
21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased." (6:2)
"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." (6:9-11)
"Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." (6:14-15)
"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." (6:19)
"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." (6:9-11)
"Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." (6:14-15)
"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." (6:19)
Today's Question:
1. Why did Jesus walk on water if there were no crowds to watch Him? (6:19)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word every day. Your Bible has more to teach than this course can cover.
1. Why did Jesus walk on water if there were no crowds to watch Him? (6:19)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word every day. Your Bible has more to teach than this course can cover.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The miracle of walking on water was for the disciple's benefit. They were still confused over Jesus' true nature and thought His mission was to defeat the Romans and become king of Israel (6:15). By showing His complete mastery over nature, Jesus wanted to strengthen their faith and demonstrate that He was more than just a political leader. It wasn't until the resurrection that the disciples finally grasped that Jesus was the Son of God. Then they were ready to spread the good news of salvation.
Application thought for the day:
Jesus asked Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread?" (6:5)
Philip says that he can't do it! (6:7)
Is there something God is asking you to do?
Trust Him to provide everything you need to complete His task.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke