Immediately following the miracle of feeding the 5000, the people rose up to take Jesus be force and make him King (John 6:14-15), but, when Jesus became aware of it, he sent his disciples away, while he sent the multitude away (Mark 6:45). How he did so, isn’t clear in the text, but he did go up a mountain to pray (Mark 6:46; cp. John 6:15). The context of dispersing the multitude seems to be that Jesus secretly departed to the mountain, which put the whole mass of people in confusion, which agrees with John’s narrative. The day following (John 6:22) would have been just after sunset, not after sunrise. In other words, the people suddenly realized neither Jesus nor the Apostles were with them, but they knew Jesus didn’t go with the Apostles, so they sailed off to Capernaum, looking for him (John 6:22, 24).
Notice that Mark records Jesus telling the disciples to sail to the other side, to Bethsaida. However, according to Luke, both Jesus and the disciples were already in the hill country of Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). This has caused some confusion among Bible students, some saying there were at least two cities named Bethsaida, while others claimed Jesus was sending them from the hill country into the city to get provisions and then go to the other side of the lake. Nevertheless, the confusion disappears once we understand that the Greek word pros (G4314), translated before in the KJV, is understood as in front of or in the face of as used by Paul in Romans 4:2 and through the pen of Luke in Acts 26:26. Thus, we should understand Mark’s words as “…go to the other side before or in front of (opposite to) Bethsaida…”[1]
It seems that the disciples spent a lot of time going nowhere on the Sea of Galilee, but it also seems they had learned the lessons of the past (cp. Mark 4:35-41). The wind was contrary to them (Mark 6:47-48), but they kept rowing, because Jesus sent them to a particular location. They didn’t cease doing what he commanded, simply because nature prevented their success.
We need to keep in mind as we read about Jesus’ miracles that he isn’t some great magician wanting to entertain an audience. There is a purpose for the wonders recorded in the Gospel narratives, and that purpose isn’t simply to awe the crowds or even to impress a select few. So, his decision to walk on the water of the lake (Mark 6:48) has a purpose, and that purpose is in the context of his sending out the Apostles to preach in the synagogues throughout Galilee (Mark 6:6b-7). Water in the word of God often represents opposition (Isaiah 8:7; Revelation 8:11; 12:15), and by walking on water Jesus shows his disciples that he isn’t hindered by that opposition.
It is interesting, though, that the Apostles seemed unmoved by the contrary winds preventing their progress. They kept at their labor, but, when they saw Jesus, they feared (Mark 6:49), supposing he was a spirit, rather than the Lord. Mark tells us that Jesus intended or wished to pass by them (verse-48), and it was only because they feared him that he paused to minister to that fear (Mark 6:49-50).
Therefore, Jesus went up into the boat, and, immediately the wind ceased (Mark 6:51)! I believe the lesson to be learned here is that not only was Jesus able to walk on water, but in doing so, there was no wind for him. If the disciples recognized Jesus and considered the miracle of the loaves and fishes, they could have decided to follow their Master and the wind would, probably, have ceased for them also. Nevertheless, because they feared, Jesus went to them, and his doing so caused the wind to cease.
Thus, they were all amazed beyond measure over what had just transpired, because they simply didn’t consider the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 (Mark 6:51-52). Astonishment does not represent faith, rather it represents unbelief. In order for the disciples to be able to use miraculous power, they must first become comfortable in the midst of it. It is like breathing out and breathing in. One is not apt to be astonished with the miracle of each moment of life, and, if the disciples were to preach the Gospel with miracles following their preaching (cp. Mark 16:15, 17-18), they needed to cease being impressed with the fact that Jesus is able to do miraculous things. Astonishment expresses unbelief. Expecting the Lord to act in miraculous ways expresses faith.
______________________________________________________
[1] The preposition unto (KJV) or to in other translations is not in the text. Moreover, Bethsaida is an indeclinable proper noun, according to The Complete Word Study New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates. Therefore, the preposition, to, can’t be understood by virtue of the declension, because Bethsaida isn’t declinable. The only modifier is pros, meaning before i.e. “facing” or “opposite to” Bethsaida. Therefore, Jesus directed the Apostles to sail to a place directly in front of Bethsaida.
Smoodock's Blog 