John 6:19

19 They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Yeshua approaching the boat, walking on the lake! They were terrified;

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 got into a boat and set out across the lake toward K'far-Nachum. By now it was dark, Yeshua had not yet joined them,

18 and the sea was getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing.

19 They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Yeshua approaching the boat, walking on the lake! They were terrified;

20 but he said to them, "Stop being afraid, it is I."

21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and instantly the boat reached the land they were heading for.