On Line Bible Study - For the Week April 2-8, 2012

Lesson 530

John 6: ¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. ²³ Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. ²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

We will make two points and a referral in this lesson.

Point #1: Jesus, having multiplied the fish and loaves, now walks on water. If we compare how John tells this story to the way it is told in Mark 6:45 ff and Matthew 14:22ff, we see some interesting differences.

• There is no reference in John to Jesus calming any storm or quieting the wind.
• Once Jesus is in the boat they immediately arrive at their destination. This seems to be the miracle for John.
  

The emphasis is on the "I Am" of Jesus. When Jesus says in this gospel: "It is I," it is more than simple identification. We will talk more about this when we discuss passages in John 8:58, and chapters 10 and 15.

Point #2: In John's Gospel, the crowd that had been fed follows Jesus. There is some wonder involved as the people recall there was only one boat, and that Jesus had not gotten into it with his disciples. (Recalling the previous lesson, notice the reference to the bread and 'giving thanks'.) Jesus has sparked something in them - an appetite, but for bread only?

Referral: There is an excellent web site in which you can read the gospels side by side and easily compare stories between the gospels. We call this "Gospel Parallels". You might find it useful in your consideration of the texts.