John 6 2

John 6:2 kjv

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

John 6:2 nkjv

Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.

John 6:2 niv

and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.

John 6:2 esv

And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.

John 6:2 nlt

A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.

John 6 verses

John 6 2 Meaning

John 6:2 concisely describes the persistent pursuit of Jesus by a substantial multitude. Their motivation was fundamentally rooted in what they had visually perceived: His repeated miraculous healing of those afflicted with illness. This verse acts as a pivotal introduction, foreshadowing the deeper spiritual dialogue of John 6, as it establishes a following driven by the tangible benefits of Jesus' power rather than an internal, spiritual comprehension of His true identity and purpose.

John 6 2 Context

John 6:1 states that Jesus "went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias," immediately setting the geographical stage for the significant events that follow. Verse 2 clarifies why Jesus' journey across the lake was met by a large crowd already awaiting or pursuing Him. This multitude's presence, driven by His miraculous healings, directly precedes Jesus' profound action of feeding the five thousand (John 6:5-13) and His subsequent "Bread of Life" discourse (John 6:25-59). The historical context reveals a populace under Roman occupation, longing for a deliverer, often associating such a figure with signs of power, healing, and miraculous provision, echoing the acts of prophets like Moses. Thus, their "following" was likely imbued with the hope for physical liberation, healing, and possibly a political messiah who could address their immediate earthly needs.

John 6 2 Word analysis

• "And" (Καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, connecting the crowd's presence to Jesus' crossing the Sea of Galilee (Jn 6:1). It indicates a continuation of the narrative, implying their pursuit of Him to the new location.
• "a great multitude" (ὄχλος πολύς - ochlos polys): This phrase describes a substantial, unorganized mass of people. It signifies not a committed group of disciples but a large popular following, attracted to Jesus, primarily due to observed benefits. The term emphasizes scale and popular attention.
• "followed" (ἠκολούθει - ēkolouthei): This verb is in the imperfect active indicative tense. It denotes continuous or repeated action, indicating a sustained pursuit or a pattern of accompanying Jesus, rather than a single instance. This "following" suggests physical proximity, distinct from committed discipleship.
• "Him" (αὐτῷ - autō): Directly refers to Jesus, confirming Him as the singular object of the multitude's attention and continuous pursuit.
• "because" (ὅτι - hoti): A causal conjunction that is critically important. It introduces the explicit reason for the multitude's following, revealing their direct and empirically-based motivation. It points to a motivation rooted in observation, not internal spiritual conviction.
• "they saw" (ἐθεώρουν - etheōroun): Like "followed," this verb is in the imperfect active indicative, implying a repeated and continuous observation. The verb theoreō signifies thoughtful, attentive looking, rather than a casual glance, suggesting they had observed His actions with purpose and awareness over time.
• "His signs" (τὰ σημεῖα αὐτοῦ - ta sēmeia autou): This is key Johannine terminology. "Signs" (sēmeia) refers to Jesus' miracles not as mere wonders (terata) but as divinely orchestrated acts intended to point beyond themselves to Jesus' true identity, His divine authority, and the nature of His mission. The crowds, however, perceived them more as wondrous works for immediate gain.
• "which He performed" (ἃ ἐποίει - ha epoiei): Another imperfect tense verb, emphasizing the ongoing and habitual nature of Jesus' miraculous actions. It suggests a history of His performing such deeds, contributing to His renown and drawing the crowd.
• "on those who were diseased" (ἐπὶ τῶν ἀσθενούντων - epi tōn asthenountōn): This phrase precisely specifies the type of signs the crowd had witnessed. They were acts of healing directed towards the sick, making Jesus known as a great healer. In an age without modern medicine, such widespread and effective healing power would understandably draw immense crowds seeking relief.

Word-groups analysis

• "And a great multitude followed Him": This phrase sets the stage for a popular movement around Jesus. It emphasizes His public appeal and the scale of people physically drawn to Him, indicating significant popular acclaim that transcended a small group of inner disciples.
• "because they saw His signs": This critically explains the motivation for the multitude's gathering. Their following was conditional, based on tangible, visible evidence of Jesus' extraordinary power. It highlights an outward, observational faith rather than an inward, convicted one, which forms a central tension throughout John 6.
• "which He performed on those who were diseased": This clarifies the specific nature of the "signs" that captivated the crowds. They were healings, acts of compassion and power that addressed the pervasive human suffering of the time. This focus on physical ailments establishes the crowds' immediate, pragmatic interest in Jesus' ability to bring physical well-being.

John 6 2 Bonus section

The immediate cultural backdrop for this verse suggests the crowds might have harbored messianic expectations that associated a future deliverer with miraculous deeds, particularly a "prophet like Moses" (Deut 18:15-18) who led Israel with signs and provided sustenance. While John uses "signs" to denote acts revealing Jesus' divinity, the crowd likely saw them as mere wonders (like the miracles performed by Moses), exciting their hopes for a political or nationalistic leader who would miraculously solve their earthly problems and free them from Roman rule. This disconnect between Jesus' divine purpose for the signs and the crowd's temporal understanding sets the stage for their attempt to make Him king (Jn 6:15) and Jesus' subsequent departure from them. This also highlights a core theme in John's Gospel: the contrast between superficial, external belief based on wonders, and genuine, internal faith in Jesus as the Son of God, even when the "signs" become less physically evident or challenging to comprehend (as in the "eating His flesh" discourse).

John 6 2 Commentary

John 6:2 articulates a profound truth about initial attraction to Jesus. The "great multitude" was not drawn by an understanding of His spiritual teachings or a deep conviction of His divine Sonship. Instead, their pursuit was driven by empirical observation: they consistently witnessed His powerful "signs" specifically in healing the sick. These acts, while indicative of His divine authority to John's discerning reader, were primarily perceived by the crowds as sources of physical benefit and awe-inspiring spectacle. This verse establishes a crucial tension that Jesus addresses throughout John 6: the difference between following for earthly gain and committing to Him for eternal life. It points to the challenge of moving from a superficial interest in miraculous benefits to a genuine, spiritually-rooted faith in Jesus as the Christ.

Practical examples: This verse reminds us that people often seek God for what He can do for them (healing, prosperity, safety) rather than for who He is. In modern terms, it's akin to attending a church for its attractive programs, impressive speakers, or social networking, rather than for authentic worship, spiritual transformation, and commitment to Christ's teachings. It encourages self-reflection on one's true motivations in faith.