Mark 6:45-52
Chapter 6
45
Walks on Water
Immediately, Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away.46
And after sending the people off, he went alone to the hillside to pray.
47
When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake while he was alone on the land.
48
Jesus saw his disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them, and before daybreak, he came to them walking on the lake, intending to pass by them.
49
When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost and shouted out;
50
for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately, he called to them:
“Courage! It is I; don’t be afraid!”
51
Then Jesus got into the boat with them, and the wind subsided. They were completely astonished,
52
for they had not fully understood the significance of the loaves; their minds were dull.
Commentaries
Walks on Water.
Jesus sends his disciples to the other side of the lake, to Bethsaida. Night falls, and he retreats to the mountain to pray. He watches over his disciples in the middle of the lake, tired from rowing against the wind (which represents the community of disciples who believe in him and love him but do not fully understand his message). Then, at dawn, he approaches them; the disciples are frightened and do not recognize him, but Jesus speaks to them, climbs into the boat with them, and calm quickly returns. The Lord does not abandon us; he remains by our side, and his presence calms the turbulence caused by our lack of faith.