John 6:19

19 Having rowed then about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the ship; and they were frightened.

John 6:19 Meaning and Commentary

John 6:19

So when they had rowed
For the wind being contrary, they could not make use of their sails, but betook themselves to their oars, and by that means got

about five and twenty, or thirty furlongs;
which were three or four miles, or little more than a league; no further had they got, though they had been rowing from the time it was dark, to the fourth watch, which was after three o'clock in the morning; all this while they had been tossed in the sea;

they saw Jesus walking on the sea;
(See Gill on Matthew 14:25), (See Gill on Matthew 14:26), (See Gill on Matthew 14:29).

And drawing nigh unto the ship;
though Mark says, he "would have passed by them", ( Mark 6:48 ) ; that is, he seemed as if he would, but his intention was to come to them, and save them from perishing, as he did:

and they were afraid;
that he was a spirit, some nocturnal apparition, or demon, in an human form; (See Gill on Matthew 14:26).

John 6:19 In-Context

17 and having gone on board ship, they went over the sea to Capernaum. And it had already become dark, and Jesus had not come to them,

18 and the sea was agitated by a strong wind blowing.

19 Having rowed then about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the ship; and they were frightened.

20 But he says to them, It is I: be not afraid.

21 They were willing therefore to receive him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land to which they went.