John 6 15

John 6:15 kjv

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.

John 6:15 nkjv

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

John 6:15 niv

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

John 6:15 esv

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

John 6:15 nlt

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

John 6 verses

John 6 15 Meaning

Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and make him a king by force, withdrew again to the mountain by himself. This action highlights Jesus' awareness of human motivations, particularly the desire for a worldly, political Messiah, and his deliberate avoidance of such a role.

John 6 15 Context

The chapter recounts Jesus feeding the five thousand. Following this miracle, the crowd recognized Jesus as the Prophet foretold in Deuteronomy 18. Their desire to make Jesus king was fueled by a misunderstanding of his messianic role. They expected a political and military leader who would liberate them from Roman oppression, mirroring the zeal of their nationalistic fervor. Jesus, aware of this potentially misdirected enthusiasm and the political implications it carried, strategically withdrew from them. This was consistent with his pattern of teaching and his overall mission to establish a spiritual kingdom, not a temporal one. His retreat to the mountain alone further emphasized his divine nature and his solitary relationship with the Father, preparing for further teaching on the bread of life.

John 6 15 Word Analysis

• Ὃτε οὖν ἔγνω (Ote oun egnō)
  • Ὃτε (Ote): When, as. Temporal conjunction indicating the moment or time.
  • οὖν (oun): Therefore, then, consequently. Inferential particle, linking this action to the previous events.
  • ἔγνω (egnō): He knew, perceived, recognized. Aorist indicative active of γινώσκω (ginōskō), meaning to come to know or to understand. Here, it signifies Jesus' clear discernment of their intentions.
• ὁ Ἰησοῦς (ho Iēsous): Jesus. The subject of the sentence.
• ὅτι (hoti): That. Introducing a subordinate clause explaining what Jesus knew.
• μέλλοιεν (melloiēn): They intended, were about. Imperfect subjunctive middle of μέλλω (mellō), indicating a future intention or action from a past perspective.
  • ἀγοράζειν (agorezein): To seize, to take. Present infinitive active of ἀγοράζω (agorezō), meaning to buy, but here used in the sense of forcefully taking or seizing.
• αὐτὸν (auton): Him. The object of the verb, referring to Jesus.
• βασιλέα (basilea): A king. Accusative case, indicating the intended status they wished to confer upon Jesus.
• καὶ (kai): And. Conjunction joining two actions.
• ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen): He withdrew. Aorist indicative active of ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō), meaning to go back, depart, retreat.
• πάλιν (palin): Again. Adverb indicating a repetition or return to a previous state or location.
• εἰς τὸ ὄρος (eis to oros): Into the mountain. Prepositional phrase indicating the destination.
• αὐτὸς (autous): Himself. Emphasizes that Jesus went alone.
• μόνος (monos): Alone, by himself. Adverb reinforcing the solitary nature of his departure.

Words/Group Analysis:

• "When Jesus perceived that they intended to make him a king by force": This phrase captures Jesus' supernatural awareness of the crowd's desires and their plan to usurp worldly power for him. It highlights a misunderstanding of the Messiah's purpose, leaning towards a political deliverer.
• "he withdrew again to the mountain by himself": This describes Jesus' deliberate and solitary departure. "Again" suggests a pattern of retreating from crowds, especially when their intentions were misguided. "By himself" emphasizes his solitary communion with the Father and his deliberate separation from a false messianic movement.

John 6 15 Bonus Section

Jesus' retreat demonstrates a key aspect of his strategy: selective engagement. He didn't shy away from the crowds when they sought spiritual truth, but he actively avoided being co-opted for political purposes. This is often seen in his teachings about "rendering to Caesar" what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matt 22:21). His disciples, and later followers, would also struggle with the concept of kingdom and power, needing to learn the lessons Jesus exemplified. This event sets the stage for his discourse on the Bread of Life, shifting the focus from miraculous provision to spiritual nourishment.

John 6 15 Commentary

Jesus' response reveals his clear understanding of the crowd's intentions. They sought a king for immediate, earthly gratification – the provision of food and political liberation from Rome. This desire for a worldly king was a recurring theme, often leading people astray from the true nature of God's kingdom. Jesus, however, consistently refused to be defined or controlled by such expectations. His withdrawal was a decisive rejection of their premature and incorrect understanding of his mission. He sought to establish a spiritual kingdom, one that began within the hearts of men and women, not one imposed by political force. This deliberate action underscores Jesus' divine wisdom and his unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's plan, even when it meant disappointing human desires for power and prestige. It reminds believers that true discipleship involves seeking Christ for spiritual sustenance, not just temporal benefits.