16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, [6:17] and getting into a boat they were crossing the sea to Capernaum. And darkness had already fully set in, and Jesus had not yet come to them. [6:18] And the sea was being stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. [6:19] Then, having rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat, and they were seized with terror. [6:20] But he said to them, "It is I — do not be afraid." [6:21] They were then willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
JHN 6:16-21
Jesus Walks on Water
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Galilean context, the Sea of Galilee was both a vital resource and a source of danger. Fishermen like the disciples were familiar with its sudden storms, but this event occurs at night, heightening the peril. Darkness was not merely the absence of light but symbolized chaos and vulnerability in Jewish thought. The disciples’ fear was not just of the storm but of encountering what they perceived as a supernatural presence—a common reaction in Greco-Roman and Jewish narratives to divine or otherworldly appearances. Jesus’ declaration, 'I am' , would have resonated deeply with Jewish listeners, echoing Yahweh’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14. For Greco-Roman readers, it might evoke claims of divine authority or epiphany. The disciples’ attempt to row against the wind underscores their struggle and helplessness, a metaphor for human limitation in the face of divine power. The immediate calming of their fear upon recognizing Jesus reflects the 1st-century belief in the presence of the divine as both awe-inspiring and reassuring.
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How other translations render this
JHN 6:16
- KJV
- And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
- BSB
- When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
- Koinōnos
- When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
JHN 6:17
- KJV
- And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
- BSB
- got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them.
- Koinōnos
- and getting into a boat they were crossing the sea to Capernaum. And darkness had already fully set in, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
JHN 6:18
- KJV
- And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
- BSB
- A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated.
- Koinōnos
- And the sea was being stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
JHN 6:19
- KJV
- So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
- BSB
- When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified.
- Koinōnos
- Then, having rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat, and they were seized with terror.
JHN 6:20
- KJV
- But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
- BSB
- But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
- Koinōnos
- But he said to them, "It is I — do not be afraid.
JHN 6:21
- KJV
- Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
- BSB
- Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
- Koinōnos
- They were then willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 6:17
- a boat:The word translated 'a boat' here refers to a small fishing vessel, typical for the Sea of Galilee, capable of holding several men.
- already:The term translated 'already' emphasizes that darkness had fully set in, highlighting the lateness of the hour and the challenging conditions.
JHN 6:19
- they were frightened.:The word translated 'they were frightened' conveys a strong sense of terror or awe, often associated with a profound, unsettling experience, rather than just simple fear.
JHN 6:20
- am [He],:The phrase translated 'I am' is a significant declaration, echoing God's self-revelation in the Old Testament, implying divine authority and presence.