Mark 6:51

VI. 45. And immediately he constrained his disciples to embark, and to go before him, across the lake, to Bethsaida, while he sent away the multi tude. 46. And when he had sent them away, he went into the mountain1 to pray. 47. And when the evening came, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48. And he saw that they had difficulty in rowing, (for the wind was con trary to them;) and about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and intended to pass by them. 49. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought that it was an appa rition, and cried out; 50. For they all saw him, and were alarmed. And immediately he spoke to them, and said to them, Take courage; it is I, be not afraid. 51. And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased; and they were greatly astonished within themselves beyond measure, 1 " En hi montagne." MATTHEW. MARK. they that were in the ship approached and wondered. 52. For they and worshipped him, saying, Truly thou had not understood about the art the Son of God. loaves; for their heart was blinded.1

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.

And he went up unto them in the ship,.... That is, after Peter had desired he might be bid to come to him upon the water, and having got leave, made an essay; but the wind being boisterous, and beginning to sink, he cried out for help; when Christ stretched out his hand, and saved him; and then he, together with Peter, went up into the ship to the rest of the disciples, as is related by Matthew, Matthew 14:28 , though omitted by this evangelist: and the wind ceased; from blowing; it was laid at once, as soon as ever Christ entered the ship: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. The Ethiopic version adds, "at him"; they were astonished, when they found it was Christ, and not a spirit; and they were more amazed at his walking upon the sea; and they marvelled still more abundantly, when they observed that the wind ceased upon his coming into the ship; their amazement was beyond expression, and therefore many words are made use of to signify it by.

51 . they were sore amazed ] Observe the strong expressions here employed. Not only were they “sore amazed,” but “beyond measure.” Never had the disciples been so impressed by the majesty of Christ as they were now in consequence of this miracle. St Matthew, Matthew 14:33 , tells us that the impression made extended also to those who were with them in the ship, i. e. probably the crew. Not only did they approach Him with an outward unforbidden gesture of worship, “but they avowed for the first time collectively, what one of them had long since separately declared Him to be, the Son of God ” ( Matthew 14:33 ; comp. John 1:49 ), Bp. Ellicott’s Lectures , p. 211.

Verses 51, 52. - The amazement of the disciples was very great. Nor was the impression confined to them alone. St. Matthew ( Matthew 14:33 ) tells us that they who were in the boat came and worshipped him. They felt, at least for the 'moment, that they were brought into awful nearness to One whose "way is in the sea," and whose "path is in the great waters," and whose "footsteps are not known." They needed not, however, to have been so amazed, for they had just witnessed his power in the miracle of the loaves; but th e y understood not ( ἐπὶ τοῖς ἄρτοις ) concerning the loaves, but their heart was ( πεπωρωμένη ) hardened; literally, stupefied and blinded. Mark 6:51

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were {y} sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. (y) They were still so amazed when they knew that it was no spirit, that they were much more astonished than they ever were before, when they saw the wind and the sea obey his commandment.

51. And he went up unto them into the ship—John (Joh 6:21) says, "Then they willingly received him into the ship"—or rather, "Then were they willing to receive Him" (with reference to their previous terror); but implying also a glad welcome, their first fears now converted into wonder and delight. "And immediately," adds the beloved disciple, "they were at the land whither they went," or "were bound." This additional miracle, for as such it is manifestly related, is recorded by the fourth Evangelist alone. As the storm was suddenly calmed, so the little bark—propelled by the secret power of the Lord of nature now sailing in it—glided through the now unruffled waters, and, while they were wrapt in wonder at what had happened, not heeding their rapid motion, was found at port, to their still further surprise. "Then are they glad, because at rest And quiet now they be; So to the haven He them brings Which they desired to see." Matthew (Mt 14:33) says, "Then they that were in the ship came [that is, ere they got to land] and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." But our Evangelist is wonderfully striking. and the wind ceased and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered—The Evangelist seems hardly to find language strong enough to express their astonishment.

[Reformed Biblical] 47. No Barnes text on this verse. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 48 Verse 48. No Barnes text on this verse. {z} "toiling in rowing" Jonah 1:13 {a} "have passed" Luke 24:28 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 49 Verse 49. No Barnes text on this verse. {b} "they saw him" Job 9:8 {c} "they supposed it" Luke 24:37 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 50 Verse 50. No Barnes text on this verse. {d} "Be of good cheer" Isaiah 43:2 ## THE GOSP EL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 51 Verse 51. No Barnes text on this verse. {e} "and the wind" Psalms 93:3,4 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 52 Verse 52. They considered not the miracle of the loaves. They did not remember or call to mind the power whic h Jesus had shown in feeding the five thousand by a miracle, and that, having done that, he had power also to save them from the storm. Their heart was hardened. Their mind was dull to perceive it. This does not mean that they were opposed to Jesus, or that th ey had what we denominate hardness of heart, but simply, that they were slow to perceive his power; they did not quickly learn, as they ought to have done, that he had all power, and could therefore allay the storm. The word heart is frequently used in this sense. See Ephesians 1:18, in Greek; Romans 1:21; 2:15; 2 Colo