45He immediately compelled his disciples to board the boat and go ahead to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. [6:46] After taking leave of them he went away to the mountain to pray. [6:47] When evening came the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. [6:48] Seeing them tormented in their rowing — for the wind was against them — about the fourth watch of the night he came toward them walking on the sea, and he was intending to pass by them. [6:49] But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought he was a phantom, and they cried out. [6:50] For all saw him and were terrified. And immediately he spoke with them and said to them: Take courage, it is I; stop being afraid. [6:51] He got into the boat with them and the wind ceased, and they were exceedingly astonished in themselves. [6:52] For they had not understood concerning the loaves; rather their heart was hardened.
MRK 6:45-52
Jesus Walks on Water
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the Sea of Galilee was both a vital resource and a source of danger for those who depended on it for livelihood. Fishing boats were small and vulnerable to sudden storms, and rowing against a contrary wind was exhausting, often perilous work. The disciples, experienced fishermen, would have understood the risks of being caught in the middle of the sea at night, especially during the fourth watch (3-6 AM), when exhaustion and darkness compounded the danger. The term , often associated with torture or severe distress, underscores their struggle. Jesus’ act of walking on the water would have been deeply unsettling, as the sea symbolized chaos and divine power in Jewish thought. His intention to “pass by” them echoes Old Testament theophanies, where God reveals His presence in passing. The disciples’ fear and misunderstanding reflect their inability to grasp Jesus’ divine identity, a theme Mark emphasizes with the term , suggesting a spiritual hardness or inability to perceive.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 6:45
- KJV
- And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
- BSB
- Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.
- Koinōnos
- He immediately compelled his disciples to board the boat and go ahead to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
MRK 6:46
- KJV
- And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
- BSB
- After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray.
- Koinōnos
- After taking leave of them he went away to the mountain to pray.
MRK 6:47
- KJV
- And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
- BSB
- When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and Jesus was alone on land.
- Koinōnos
- When evening came the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
MRK 6:48
- KJV
- And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
- BSB
- He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them,
- Koinōnos
- Seeing them tormented in their rowing — for the wind was against them — about the fourth watch of the night he came toward them walking on the sea, and he was intending to pass by them.
MRK 6:49
- KJV
- But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
- BSB
- but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost—
- Koinōnos
- But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought he was a phantom, and they cried out.
MRK 6:50
- KJV
- For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
- BSB
- for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
- Koinōnos
- For all saw him and were terrified. And immediately he spoke with them and said to them: Take courage, it is I; stop being afraid.
MRK 6:51
- KJV
- And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
- BSB
- Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. And the disciples were utterly astounded,
- Koinōnos
- He got into the boat with them and the wind ceased, and they were exceedingly astonished in themselves.
MRK 6:52
- KJV
- For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
- BSB
- for they had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts had been hardened.
- Koinōnos
- For they had not understood concerning the loaves; rather their heart was hardened.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 6:45
- He compelled:The word translated 'He compelled' suggests a strong sense of urgency or necessity, indicating that Jesus insisted or urged them to do something they might not have otherwise done, rather than merely requesting it.
MRK 6:48
- straining:The word translated 'straining' here literally means to be tormented or tortured, conveying the extreme difficulty and distress the disciples were experiencing against the wind.
- [the] fourth:The term translated '[the] fourth' refers to a specific division of the night, as the Romans divided the night into four watches, each lasting about three hours.
MRK 6:52
- hardened.:The word translated 'hardened' implies a dullness of understanding or a spiritual insensitivity, like a callus forming over a wound, preventing proper perception.