John 6 21

John 6:21 kjv

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

John 6:21 nkjv

Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

John 6:21 niv

Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

John 6:21 esv

Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

John 6:21 nlt

Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

John 6 verses

John 6 21 Meaning

John 6:21 describes two pivotal, interconnected events that immediately follow Jesus walking on water to His distressed disciples. First, it states that the disciples "willingly received him into the ship," signifying their decision to overcome their initial fear and accept Jesus' presence. Second, and miraculously, "immediately the ship was at the land whither they went," illustrating Jesus' supernatural power over space and time, bringing them instantaneously to their intended destination. This verse encapsulates both a human response of trust and a divine demonstration of omnipotence.

John 6 21 Context

John chapter 6 begins with Jesus feeding the five thousand, a miracle demonstrating His power to provide for physical needs, after which He sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee. As they struggle against a storm in the middle of the night, Jesus walks on the water to them, a profound display of His divine authority over nature. The disciples are initially terrified, thinking He is a ghost, until Jesus identifies Himself and tells them, "It is I; do not be afraid" (vv. 19-20). Verse 21 then serves as the immediate culmination of this dramatic encounter, presenting both the disciples' subsequent acceptance of Him and the immediate supernatural conclusion to their perilous journey. This incident occurs just before Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse, setting the stage for deeper theological understanding of His person and work as He transcends physical limitations to provide spiritual sustenance.

John 6 21 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): A temporal adverb connecting this event directly to Jesus' words, "It is I; do not be afraid," and the disciples' previous fear. It signals a immediate consequence.
• they willingly received (ἔθελον λαμβάνειν - ethelon lambanein):
  • ἔθελον (ethelon): Imperfect form of θέλω (thelō), "to wish, desire, be willing." This word (though a textual variant exists where it's omitted in some manuscripts, suggesting a simpler "they took") highlights the disciples' volitional choice. It implies their conscious decision to invite Jesus into their boat, overcoming their terror from the preceding verses (v. 19). It indicates a shift from fear to acceptance and emerging trust in Jesus.
  • λαμβάνειν (lambanein): To take, grasp, receive, accept. Physically bringing Jesus from the water into their vessel.
• him (αὐτόν - auton): Referring to Jesus, the object of their renewed acceptance.
• into the ship (εἰς τὸ πλοῖον - eis to ploion): A physical act, inviting Jesus aboard their boat. This contrasts with their previous struggle alone.
• and immediately (καὶ εὐθέως - kai eutheōs):
  • καὶ (kai): A simple conjunction, but here it joins two miraculous outcomes.
  • εὐθέως (eutheōs): A strong adverb meaning "at once, straightway, without delay." It emphatically highlights the supernatural and instantaneous nature of what followed, bypassing the normal course of travel. This immediate arrival underscores divine power rather than a gradual process.
• the ship was (τὸ πλοῖον ἐγένετο - to ploion egeneto): The boat became or was in a state of being at the destination.
• at the land (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - epi tēs gēs): Signifies their arrival at the shoreline.
• whither they went (εἰς ἣν ἠργεν ἔμελλον - eis hēn ēgen emellon): Refers to their intended destination across the Sea of Galilee (likely Capernaum or its vicinity, see v. 17). The instantaneous arrival at their chosen landing place is a key part of the miracle.

John 6 21 Bonus section

• Christological Deepening: This "spatial teleportation" is often considered a distinct and more profound miracle than even walking on water or calming the storm. While the other miracles showcase power over natural elements, this event implies control over fundamental dimensions of existence—space and time themselves. It points to Jesus' transcendent nature and anticipates His post-resurrection appearances where He moved through locked doors or appeared and disappeared instantaneously. It deepens the understanding of Jesus' deity as one who can manipulate reality itself.
• Theological Parallel to Ascension: Some scholars draw a parallel between the instantaneous arrival and the themes of Jesus' ascension, where He physically left earth but is spiritually present and sovereign over all space and time. It hints at a reality where Jesus is not bound by earthly limitations.
• Symbolic Landing: The sudden arrival at their destination could also be seen as a spiritual metaphor for God's unerring guidance and provision in bringing believers to their ultimate, eternal home, regardless of the trials or storms faced in life. Just as the boat's journey was supernaturally expedited, so too God works beyond natural means to accomplish His will for His children.

John 6 21 Commentary

John 6:21 marks the profound culmination of the walking-on-water miracle. It portrays Jesus not merely as a helper in distress, but as the Master of creation, time, and space. The disciples' "willingly received" indicates a critical shift from paralyzing fear to trust, reflecting a growing (though still imperfect) faith in Jesus' divine identity despite their limited comprehension. The most astounding aspect, however, is the "immediately" being at their destination. This isn't just the calming of a storm; it's a "spatial miracle," a supernatural act transcending physics, as if time and distance were compressed. It unmistakably highlights Jesus' omnipotence, showcasing Him as truly God—one who brings His people safely to their intended haven not merely by physical strength, but by divine will. This demonstration of sovereign power undergirds His subsequent claims to be the "Bread of Life," preparing the disciples (and readers) to accept Him as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance and secure passage through life's storms. For believers, this verse illustrates that accepting Christ into our lives transforms our perilous journeys into immediate, secure passages toward God's intended purposes for us.