John 6 16

John 6:16 kjv

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

John 6:16 nkjv

Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

John 6:16 niv

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,

John 6:16 esv

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,

John 6:16 nlt

That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.

John 6 verses

John 6 16 Meaning

John 6:16 describes the setting immediately after Jesus's miraculous feeding of the five thousand and His subsequent withdrawal. As evening falls, Jesus's disciples proceed towards the Sea of Galilee, preparing to embark across it without Him. This simple statement sets the stage for a profound demonstration of Jesus's divine power and authority as they encounter a storm and Jesus walks on the water.

John 6 16 Context

John 6:16 is situated within a critical narrative section of John's Gospel. Immediately before this verse, Jesus has just fed a vast crowd of five thousand men with only five barley loaves and two fish (Jn 6:1-14). Following this astonishing miracle, the crowds, perceiving Jesus as a prophet, attempt to seize Him and forcefully make Him king (Jn 6:15). This represents a crucial point where worldly ambitions clash with Jesus's divine purpose. In response, Jesus withdraws to the mountain by Himself (implied from parallel accounts like Mt 14:23, Mk 6:46) to avoid this political misunderstanding. Against this backdrop, verse 16 describes the disciples' actions, setting them apart from both Jesus and the tumultuous crowds. They are leaving the place of earthly political aspirations, heading toward the seemingly calmer but soon-to-be storm-tossed sea, leading directly into Jesus's profound self-revelation as He walks on water and the subsequent discourse on the Bread of Life.

John 6 16 Word analysis

• When evening came (Ὡς δὲ ὀψία ἐγένετο, Hōs de opsia egeneto):

  • Ὡς (Hōs): Means "as" or "when," indicating the specific timing of the event.
  • δὲ (de): A connective particle, often translated "but" or "and," linking this action to the previous events (Jesus's withdrawal). It subtly shifts the narrative focus to the disciples.
  • ὀψία (opsia): Refers to the later part of the day, specifically from sunset into the twilight hours, often between 6 PM and 9 PM. It implies diminishing light and encroaching darkness, often carrying symbolic undertones of difficulty or the absence of the "light of the world" (Jesus).
  • ἐγένετο (egeneto): "It came to be" or "it happened," denoting the arrival of the evening as a fixed point in time.
  • Significance: The time of day sets an ominous tone, transitioning from the daylight miracle to a journey into darkness, mirroring spiritual understanding.

• his disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, hoi mathētai autou):

  • οἱ (hoi): The definite article, specifying these are the known followers.
  • μαθηταὶ (mathētai): Means "learners" or "pupils," those who committed themselves to Jesus's teachings and lifestyle.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou): "Of him," clarifying they are Jesus's disciples.
  • Significance: These are the privileged few who have witnessed His power, yet they are now separate from Him, entering a trial without His immediate presence. This foreshadows their dependence on Him even when He appears absent.

• went down (κατέβησαν, katebēsan):

  • From katabainō, meaning "to go down" or "descend." This is a literal geographical movement towards the lower elevation of the sea from the higher ground (likely the mountain slope where the feeding took place).
  • Significance: This seemingly simple action contrasts with Jesus going "up" (implied, Mt 14:23, Mk 6:46) to pray. It also prefigures their spiritual "descent" into fear during the storm.

• to the lake (ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν, epi tēn thalassan):

  • ἐπὶ (epi): A preposition meaning "to," "upon," or "towards." Here it indicates motion towards the sea.
  • τὴν (tēn): The definite article, indicating a specific body of water.
  • θάλασσαν (thalassan): The Greek word for "sea," specifically referring to the Sea of Galilee (also called Lake Gennesaret or Sea of Tiberias in the New Testament). It's a large freshwater lake, prone to sudden violent storms due to winds channeled through surrounding hills.
  • Significance: The Sea of Galilee is a symbolic and literal arena for many of Jesus's miracles. It often represents a place of unpredictability and danger, where human efforts are insufficient, highlighting the need for divine intervention. Going "to the lake" marks the next stage of their journey and trials.

Words-group analysis:

• "When evening came, his disciples": The contrast of time and agents is key. Jesus has withdrawn, and now the narrative shifts to the disciples, moving into the gathering darkness. This setting immediately establishes a separation between Jesus and His followers, preparing for a period of test and revelation.
• "went down to the lake": This phrase describes both a physical movement to a lower geographical point and a figurative movement into a realm of vulnerability and potential danger. It signifies their obedience to what they understand as their next step, even without Jesus's direct, explicit instruction in John's account, contrasting with the "making" in the Synoptics.

John 6 16 Bonus section

The seemingly minor detail of the disciples' departure "to the lake" carries echoes of Old Testament narratives where God's people confront natural elements and dangers (e.g., crossing the Red Sea in Ex 14, Jonah's sea journey in Jonah 1). These accounts often precede a mighty act of God's deliverance, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation. For the Jewish audience, the sea could symbolize chaos and the untamable forces of nature, a realm where only God possesses ultimate authority. Therefore, the disciples venturing onto the sea without Jesus places them directly in a setting ripe for a profound display of divine intervention. This specific location, the Sea of Galilee, becomes a stage where Jesus demonstrates His "I Am" nature, not only in overcoming physical forces but also in establishing His spiritual authority as the only true source of life and salvation.

John 6 16 Commentary

John 6:16 is a concise yet pivotal verse that marks a significant transition in John's narrative. It immediately follows the public spectacle of the feeding miracle and Jesus's purposeful withdrawal from an eager but misguided crowd seeking to make Him an earthly king. The arrival of "evening" is more than a temporal marker; it initiates a period of physical and spiritual darkness for the disciples. This deepening twilight symbolizes the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany an experience of God's power.

By "going down to the lake," the disciples physically descend from the higher ground, likely where the multitude was fed, moving into a potentially dangerous environment. Notably, John's account simply states they "went down," while Matthew and Mark specify that Jesus "made" or "compelled" them to embark. John's version highlights the disciples' agency within the unfolding divine plan, setting the scene for their independent action which will then be interrupted by Christ's miraculous appearance on the water. This prepares the way for Jesus to reveal His "I Am" identity (Jn 6:20) in a context where human resources are failing, showcasing His transcendent power over creation. The journey across the sea becomes a miniature crucible, where their faith will be tested, leading into Jesus's "Bread of Life" discourse—a deeper revelation than simply satisfying physical hunger.