John 6:22

John 6:22, in plain English

The next day, the crowd realized that there had been only one boat and that Jesus had not gotten into it with His disciples. So how did He get to the other side?

Why it's here

The crowd is trying to solve a mystery. The disciples left without Jesus, there was only one boat, and yet Jesus is across the lake. Something supernatural has happened.

Who's speaking

The Gospel writer describes the crowd's confusion as they piece together the clues about how Jesus crossed the lake.

Where it sits in the story

They are scratching their heads. The math does not add up. Jesus did not leave with the disciples, but He is on the other side. Their curiosity drives them to go looking for Him.

The scholarly reading

The crowd's confusion arises from their observation that only one boat had been at the shore and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples. This creates a puzzle that the crowd attempts to solve.

Language and setting

This verse sets up the crowd's pursuit of Jesus to Capernaum. Their detective work about the boats highlights the supernatural nature of Jesus' crossing, even though they do not yet understand how He got to the other side.

Voice

The narrator describes the crowd's perplexity as they try to account for Jesus' whereabouts.

Significance

The crowd conducts an accidental investigation into a miracle. They know Jesus did not get in the boat with His disciples, yet He is somehow on the other side of the lake. Their confusion will lead them to follow Him.

20But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

21Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples, but they had gone away alone.

23However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.

Read all of John 6 — Jesus feeds five thousand, walks on water, and then makes a claim so shocking that many of his followers abandon him on the spot.