Mark 6:50

6:45-56 The church is often like a ship at sea, tossed with tempests, and not comforted: we may have Christ for us, yet wind and tide against us; but it is a comfort to Christ's disciples in a storm, that their Master is in the heavenly mount, interceding for them. And no difficulties can hinder Christ's appearance for his people, when the set time is come. He silenced their fears, by making himself known to them. Our fears are soon satisfied, if our mistakes are set right, especially our mistakes as to Christ. Let the disciples have their Master with them, and all is well. It is for want of rightly understanding Christ's former works, that we view his present works as if there never were the like before. If Christ's ministers now could cure people's bodily diseases, what multitudes would flock after them! It is sad to think how much more most care about their bodies than about their souls.

For they all saw him, and were troubled,.... Had it been only seen by one, it might have been thought a fancy, and the effect of mere imagination; but as every one saw it, it was out of all doubt that so it was, and which gave them the greater concern: and immediately he talked with them; as soon as they saw him, "that very moment", as the Syriac renders it; that so by hearing his voice their fears might be allayed: and saith unto them, be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid; See Gill on Matthew 14:27.

They all saw him Peculiar to Mark. Spake with them (ἐλάλησεν μετ' αὐτῶν) Both Matthew and John give the simple dative, αὐτοῖς, to them. Mark's with them is more familiar, and gives the idea of a more friendly and encouraging address. It is significant, in view of Peter's relation to this gospel, that Mark omits the incident of Peter's walk on the waves (Matthew 14:28-31).

Mark 6:50 . Not quite an instance of Mark’s habit of iteration: explains how they came to think it was a phantasm. All saw what looked like Jesus, yet they could not believe it was He, a real man, walking on the water; therefore they took fright and rushed to the conclusion: a spectre!

50. 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—There is something in these two little words—given by Matthew, Mark and John (Mt 14:27; Mr 6:50; Joh 6:20)—"It is I," which from the mouth that spake it and the circumstances in which it was uttered, passes the power of language to express. Here were they in the midst of a raging sea, their little bark the sport of the elements, and with just enough of light to descry an object on the waters which only aggravated their fears. But Jesus deems it enough to dispel all apprehension to let them know that He was there. From other lips that "I am" would have merely meant that the person speaking was such a one and not another person. That, surely, would have done little to calm the fears of men expecting every minute, it may be, to go to the bottom. But spoken by One who at that moment was "treading upon the waves of the sea," and was about to hush the raging elements with His word, what was it but the Voice which cried of old in the ears of Israel, even from the days of Moses, "I AM"; "I, EVEN I, AM He!" Compare Joh 18:5, 6; 8:58. Now, that Word is "made flesh, and dwells among us," uttering itself from beside us in dear familiar tones—"It is the Voice of my Beloved!" How far was this apprehended by these frightened disciples? There was one, we know, in the boat who outstripped all the rest in susceptibility to such sublime appeals.

It was not the deep-toned writer of the Fourth Gospel, who, though he lived to soar beyond all the apostles, was as yet too young for prominence, and all unripe. It was Simon Barjonas. Here follows a very remarkable and instructive episode, recorded by Matthew alone: Peter Ventures to Walk upon the Sea (Mt 14:28-32). Mt 14:28: And Peter answered Him, and said, Lord, If it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water—not "let me," but "give me the word of command"—"command," or "order me to come unto Thee upon the waters." Mt 14:29: And He said, Come—Sublime word, issuing from One conscious of power over the raging element, to bid it serve both Himself and whomsoever else He pleased! And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked upon the water—"waters." to come to Jesus—"It was a bold spirit," says Bishop Hall, "that could wish it; more bold that could act it—not fearing either the softness or the roughness of that uncouth passage." Mt 14:30: But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me—The wind was as boisterous before, but Peter "saw" it not, seeing only the power of Christ, in the lively exercise of faith. Now he "sees" the fury of the elements, and immediately the power of Christ to bear him up fades before his view, and this makes him "afraid"—as how could he be otherwise, without any felt power to keep him up?

[Bible] 6:45. And immediately he obliged his disciples to go up into the ship, that they might go before him over the water to Bethsaida, whilst he dismissed the people. 6:46. And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray, 6:47. And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land. 6:48. And seeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them. 6:49. But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out. 6:50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not. 6:51. And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves: 6:52. For they understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded. 6:53. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Genezareth, and set to the shore. 6:54. And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him: 6:55. And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 6:56. And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. Mark Chapter 7 Christ rebukes the Pharisees. He heals the daughter of the woman of Chanaan; and the man that was deaf and dumb. 7:1. And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem. 7:2. And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 7:3. For the Pharisees and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients.