John 6:1 kjv
After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
John 6:1 nkjv
After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
John 6:1 niv
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),
John 6:1 esv
After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
John 6:1 nlt
After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
John 6 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Geographical/Setting the Scene | ||
| Matt 4:18 | As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers… | Jesus' ministry often began or centered around the Sea of Galilee. |
| Mark 1:16 | As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew… | Confirms the centrality of the sea to Jesus' early ministry. |
| Luke 5:1 | ...as the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, by the Lake of Gennesaret. | Another name for the same body of water, indicating its familiarity in the Gospels. |
| John 21:1 | After these things Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias… | John's later usage of "Sea of Tiberias" again, demonstrating its increasing prevalence or specificity for his audience. |
| Num 34:11 | The border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah east of Ain… to the Sea of Chinnereth on the east. | Mentions "Chinnereth" (Kinneret), an ancient name for the sea, indicating its long historical significance. |
| Deut 3:17 | ...the Arabah also, with the Jordan as its border, from Chinnereth as far as the Sea of the Arabah... | Further ancient references to Chinnereth in relation to the promised land boundaries. |
| Josh 19:35 | The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth… | Chinnereth (Kinneret) was an ancient Israelite town and also a name for the region/lake. |
| Isa 9:1 | ...but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Galilee of the Gentiles. | Prophetic anticipation of messianic activity in the region of Galilee. |
| Temporal "After These Things" | ||
| John 5:47 | But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” | The verse immediately preceding 6:1, detailing Jesus' discourse in Jerusalem. |
| John 5:1 | After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. | Similar Johannine temporal marker introducing a new event. |
| John 7:1 | After these things Jesus walked in Galilee. For he would not walk in Judea… | Demonstrates John's repeated use of this phrase to signal shifts in Jesus' location and ministry. |
| John 19:38 | After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus... | Used as a broad temporal marker in John's narrative for events separated by time. |
| Acts 13:20 | After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. | Examples from Acts demonstrate its common usage in biblical narrative for chronological sequencing. |
| Jesus Crossing the Sea (Context of miracles) | ||
| Matt 8:18 | Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. | Shows Jesus often deliberately crossing the sea, usually for teaching or ministry. |
| Mark 4:35 | On that day, when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” | Another instance of Jesus initiating a crossing. |
| Luke 8:22 | One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” | Parallel accounts highlighting Jesus' repeated crossings. |
| Matt 14:13-21 | When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself… he fed the crowds. | The immediate consequence of crossing the sea in John 6 is the feeding of the multitude, paralleled here. |
| Mark 6:30-44 | The apostles returned to Jesus… and he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place… so many were coming and going…” and he fed the multitude. | Further parallel to the events immediately following John 6:1, highlighting the need for retreat and then the feeding. |
| Luke 9:10-17 | On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida… | Links to the Feeding of the Five Thousand as the direct event. |
| Significance/Symbolism of the Sea | ||
| Job 38:8 | Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb… | The sea in ancient thought could symbolize untamed power and chaos. |
| Ps 89:9 | You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. | God's divine authority over the turbulent sea. Jesus' authority over the physical sea echoes this divine power. |
| Ps 107:29 | He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. | Anticipates Jesus' actions of stilling storms on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His divine control. |
John 6 verses
John 6 1 Meaning
John 6:1 acts as a crucial transitional verse, geographically relocating Jesus from Judea (where the events of John 5 occurred) to Galilee. It sets the stage for a series of significant miracles and teachings, most notably the feeding of the five thousand and the discourse on Jesus as the Bread of Life. By identifying the body of water with both its traditional name, "Sea of Galilee," and the name derived from the Roman city of "Tiberias," the evangelist provides precise geographical context for a broad audience, signaling the next phase of Jesus' public ministry.
John 6 1 Context
John 6:1 serves as a bridge, transitioning the narrative from the escalating conflict with Jewish authorities in Jerusalem (detailed in John 5) to the vibrant ministry in Galilee. In John 5, Jesus' healing on the Sabbath and His subsequent discourse on His divine Sonship and equality with God intensified opposition. This verse strategically shifts the focus to Galilee, a region known for being more open to Jesus' message. Historically, the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Kinneret, Lake Gennesaret, or the Sea of Tiberias) was a bustling hub of fishing and trade. The mention of "Sea of Tiberias" refers to the Roman-founded city of Tiberias, established by Herod Antipas around AD 20 and named after Emperor Tiberius. This dual naming of the sea might reflect John's intention to provide clear geographical information to an audience familiar with either the traditional Jewish name or the more Romanized name, especially important as the Roman influence grew throughout the region during and after the first century. This shift sets the immediate stage for the multiplication of loaves and fishes, a significant "sign" that points to Jesus as the provider of true sustenance.
John 6 1 Word analysis
- After these things (μετὰ ταῦτα, meta tauta): A common transitional phrase in John's Gospel, indicating sequence but not necessarily immediate chronological succession. It signals a move from the events of John chapter 5 in Jerusalem, linking previous divine revelations to new ones.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Yeshua (ישוע), meaning "Yahweh saves." It identifies the central figure of the Gospel as the promised Messiah.
- went over (ἀπῆλθεν πέραν, apēlthen peran): Literally "went away beyond" or "went across." It denotes a purposeful crossing to the opposite side of the body of water.
- the Sea of Galilee (τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Γαλιλαίας, tēs thalassēs tēs Galilaias):
- Thalassa: The standard Greek word for sea or a large lake.
- Galilaias: Derived from "Galilee," the northern region of Israel. This was the traditional Jewish and most common name for the lake in the Synoptic Gospels.
- which is (ἥ ἐστιν, hē estin): A clarifying phrase used to provide an alternative or supplementary identification for something previously mentioned.
- the Sea of Tiberias (τῆς Τιβεριάδος, tēs Tiberiados): Refers to the Sea of Galilee by the name of the Roman city, Tiberias, located on its western shore. This name, given by Herod Antipas, was common in the Hellenistic world, suggesting John's awareness of a broader, possibly non-Jewish, audience who would recognize this designation. Its use emphasizes geographical clarity for John's diverse readership.
- "After these things Jesus went over": This phrase emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and intentional movement, marking a change in setting and perhaps a shift in ministry strategy or a period of strategic withdrawal from the Judean leadership.
- "the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias": This dual designation highlights the importance of geographical clarity for John's audience. The inclusion of "Tiberias" might reflect the increasing Hellenization or Romanization of the region and signals that the following events took place in a familiar and prominent part of Israel during that era. It confirms the exact location for both Jewish and Gentile readers.
John 6 1 Bonus section
- The use of both "Sea of Galilee" and "Sea of Tiberias" for the same body of water by John is unique among the Gospels. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) primarily use "Sea of Galilee" or "Lake of Gennesaret." John, writing later and potentially for a wider Gentile audience or one that experienced the Roman influence more acutely, strategically uses both names for enhanced clarity and geographical precision. The city of Tiberias became prominent after its founding in AD 20.
- Jesus' act of crossing the sea often precedes or follows significant divine demonstrations of power or revelation in the Gospels (e.g., stilling the storm, walking on water, the feeding of multitudes). The "sea" itself holds symbolic significance in biblical thought, sometimes representing chaos or gentile lands, over which Jesus consistently demonstrates authority.
- This transition from Jerusalem to Galilee implies a strategic move by Jesus. Jerusalem was a center of religious authority and growing hostility towards Him. Galilee, a more rural and populous region, often presented a more receptive audience for His miracles and teachings, especially among common people.
John 6 1 Commentary
John 6:1 provides a succinct yet essential geographical and temporal anchor for the subsequent events in John's Gospel. The transition "After these things" deliberately links to the heated confrontations in Jerusalem, showcasing Jesus' dynamic ministry that moved between different regions. His crossing of the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Tiberias, as John clarifies) is not merely a travel detail but a purposeful step, leading directly to the dramatic miracle of feeding the five thousand, a pivotal "sign" designed to reveal His identity and set the stage for the profound "Bread of Life" discourse. This short verse, therefore, acts as an indispensable prologue, carefully preparing the reader for deep theological insights into Jesus' nature and purpose as the one who offers true spiritual nourishment.