St Mark Chapter VI : Verses 45-56
Christ walks on the sea
[46] And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray.
[47] And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land.
[48] And seeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them.
[49] But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out.
[50] For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not.
[51] And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves:
[52] For they understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded.
[45] Et statim coegit discipulos suos ascendere navim, ut praecederent eum trans fretum ad Bethsaidam, dum ipse dimitteret populum. [46] Et cum dimisisset eos, abiit in montem orare. [47] Et cum sero esset, erat navis in medio mari et ipse solus in terra. [48] Et videns eos laborantes in remigando ( erat enim ventus contrarius eis) et circa quartam vigiliam noctis venit ad eos ambulans supra mare : et volebat praeterire eos. [49] At illi ut viderunt eum ambulantem supra mare, putaverunt phantasma esse, et exclamaverunt. [50] Omnes enim viderunt eum, et conturbati sunt. Et statim locutus est cum eis, et dixit eis : Confidite, ego sum : nolite timere.[51] Et ascendit ad illos in navim, et cessavit ventus. Et plus magis intra se stupebant : [52] non enim intellexerunt de panibus : erat enim cor eorum obcaecatum.
Notes
45. immediately. As soon as the meal was finished, because it was already evening. In the East there is no twilight. Darkness sets in rapidly.
he obliged. They would have preferred to remain with Him and perhaps to witness His triumph (supposing them to have known that the multitude wished to make Him king by force).
go before him ... to Bethsaida. St John has to CCapharnaum. Either they were to cross to Bethsaida on the western coast, which was just below Capharnaum, or they were to go to Capharnaum by way of Bethsaida (Julias), so as to take up our Lord further on. This latter view would mean that they were to keep to the coast until Jesus joined them, and then to cross over.
46. he went up to the mountain : — Jesus fled again into the mountain himself alone, because He knew they would come to take Him by force and make Him a king (St John vi. 15). This explains why Jesus had obliged His disciples to leave. He knew they might sympathize with the people in their idea of the Messiah being an earthly monarch who should restore the glory of Israel.
to pray. As He had done before He chose the Twelve Apostles. This retiring for prayer always preceded some important action : also the next day we find our Lord promising to nourish the souls of men with the Holy Eucharist.
47. it was late. When evening was come (St John vi. 16). This refers to the second evening. It was now between six and nine o’clock.
midst of the sea. Blown out of her course by the violence of the wind.
himself alone on the land. Notice how beautifully St Mark pictures out the scene. The storm-tossed vessel with its anxious crew, and, on the other hand, Jesus kneeling in the silent prayer of God on the lonely mountain side.
48. labouring in rowing. Literally “ distressed,” “ tormented ” in rowing, and unable to make headway. St Matthew adds, But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves : for the wind was contrary (xiv. 24).
(for the wind was against them). It must have been a north-east wind, since it blew them in the midst of the sea. St John tells us they had rowed five and twenty or thirty furlongs (vi. 19). The lake was five miles across at its greatest width, therefore the Apostles had rowed about four miles, and as the wind was driving them south-west, they must have been in the midst of the sea by the fourth watch, i.e. three or four o’clock in the morning. They had been battling with the wind and waves since six o’clock the evening before:
fourth watch, — i.e. fourth Roman watch. After Pompey took Judea the Jews adopted the Roman divisions of time. This was varied in duration, in certain localities, according to the seasons, since it depended on the rising and setting of the sun. These watches were —
he obliged. They would have preferred to remain with Him and perhaps to witness His triumph (supposing them to have known that the multitude wished to make Him king by force).
go before him ... to Bethsaida. St John has to CCapharnaum. Either they were to cross to Bethsaida on the western coast, which was just below Capharnaum, or they were to go to Capharnaum by way of Bethsaida (Julias), so as to take up our Lord further on. This latter view would mean that they were to keep to the coast until Jesus joined them, and then to cross over.
46. he went up to the mountain : — Jesus fled again into the mountain himself alone, because He knew they would come to take Him by force and make Him a king (St John vi. 15). This explains why Jesus had obliged His disciples to leave. He knew they might sympathize with the people in their idea of the Messiah being an earthly monarch who should restore the glory of Israel.
to pray. As He had done before He chose the Twelve Apostles. This retiring for prayer always preceded some important action : also the next day we find our Lord promising to nourish the souls of men with the Holy Eucharist.
47. it was late. When evening was come (St John vi. 16). This refers to the second evening. It was now between six and nine o’clock.
midst of the sea. Blown out of her course by the violence of the wind.
himself alone on the land. Notice how beautifully St Mark pictures out the scene. The storm-tossed vessel with its anxious crew, and, on the other hand, Jesus kneeling in the silent prayer of God on the lonely mountain side.
48. labouring in rowing. Literally “ distressed,” “ tormented ” in rowing, and unable to make headway. St Matthew adds, But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves : for the wind was contrary (xiv. 24).
(for the wind was against them). It must have been a north-east wind, since it blew them in the midst of the sea. St John tells us they had rowed five and twenty or thirty furlongs (vi. 19). The lake was five miles across at its greatest width, therefore the Apostles had rowed about four miles, and as the wind was driving them south-west, they must have been in the midst of the sea by the fourth watch, i.e. three or four o’clock in the morning. They had been battling with the wind and waves since six o’clock the evening before:
fourth watch, — i.e. fourth Roman watch. After Pompey took Judea the Jews adopted the Roman divisions of time. This was varied in duration, in certain localities, according to the seasons, since it depended on the rising and setting of the sun. These watches were —
1. Even, 6 to 9 p.m.2. Midnight, 9 to 12 p.m.3. Cock-crowing, 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. (The three watches of night)4. Morning, 3 to 6 a.m.
They were called indifferently the first watch, second, etc. ; or simply, even, midnight, etc.
The Jewish division of time included only three divisions ; the watches (length of time) the sentinels remained on duty were—
The Jewish division of time included only three divisions ; the watches (length of time) the sentinels remained on duty were—
The first watch from sunset to 10 p.m.The middle watch from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.The morning watch from 2 a.m. to sunrise.
he would have passed by them. Feigning to pass by, that they might urge Him to help them. So later, He made as though he would go farther (St Luke xxiv. 28), but stayed in answer to the disciples’ prayer. “ He desires to be desired by His own.”
49. walking upon the sea. This was as easy for our Lord to do as to walk on land. Thus He proved His divinity, for God alone spreadeth out the heavens and walketh upon the waves of the sea (Job ix. 8).
an apparition. They took Him for an apparition in human form. Both Jews and Gentiles believed in spirits, with the exception of the Sadducees. So in the evening of Easter Day, troubled and frightened, they supposed that they saw a spirit (St Luke xxiv. 37).
they cried out : — St Matt, adds for fear, as their terror was augmented by the darkness and the tempest. Moreover, they were overwrought with about eight hours’ incessant rowing.
50. all saw him. Not only the Apostles but the men who were with them, either disciples, or some of the multitude who wished to re-cross the lake, or the hired hands.
were troubled. Notice how the three Evangelists (St Luke does not mention this miracle) emphasize the Apostles’ terror. They cried out for fear and were troubled, and far more astonished. Man is naturally troubled by any supernatural manifestation of power. The unknown always troubles and afrights.
immediately. Jesus hastens to calm their fears.
he spoke with them. A brief conversation, the Apostles’ question, Jesus answers.
it is I, fear ye not. Jesus used these same words on Easter evening. His divine voice gradually calmed their fears. St Mark omits the incident of St Peter walking on the water, which St Matthew alone relates.
Notice that Jesus’ words were all-powerful. They operated or effected what they signified.
51. the wind ceased. St Mark alone relates this detail. The effect of this sudden calm is, that they are still more astonished. Ordinarily a swell follows a tempest.
within themselves. Intense emotion is speechless. Christ’s presence and power filled them with awe. St Matthew gives another detail. And they that were in the boat came and adored Him, saying, Indeed thou art the Son of God (xiv. 33).
52. they understood not, etc. They had failed to learn from the miracle of the previous day, that Christ could command and set aside natural laws.
heart was blinded. Not wilfully by malice, like the Pharisees, who were blind leaders of the blind, but by ignorance and want of discernment. It was for this kind of blindness that Jesus reproved the disciples on the road to Emmaus : Then He said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken (St Luke xxiv. 25).
49. walking upon the sea. This was as easy for our Lord to do as to walk on land. Thus He proved His divinity, for God alone spreadeth out the heavens and walketh upon the waves of the sea (Job ix. 8).
an apparition. They took Him for an apparition in human form. Both Jews and Gentiles believed in spirits, with the exception of the Sadducees. So in the evening of Easter Day, troubled and frightened, they supposed that they saw a spirit (St Luke xxiv. 37).
they cried out : — St Matt, adds for fear, as their terror was augmented by the darkness and the tempest. Moreover, they were overwrought with about eight hours’ incessant rowing.
50. all saw him. Not only the Apostles but the men who were with them, either disciples, or some of the multitude who wished to re-cross the lake, or the hired hands.
were troubled. Notice how the three Evangelists (St Luke does not mention this miracle) emphasize the Apostles’ terror. They cried out for fear and were troubled, and far more astonished. Man is naturally troubled by any supernatural manifestation of power. The unknown always troubles and afrights.
immediately. Jesus hastens to calm their fears.
he spoke with them. A brief conversation, the Apostles’ question, Jesus answers.
it is I, fear ye not. Jesus used these same words on Easter evening. His divine voice gradually calmed their fears. St Mark omits the incident of St Peter walking on the water, which St Matthew alone relates.
Notice that Jesus’ words were all-powerful. They operated or effected what they signified.
51. the wind ceased. St Mark alone relates this detail. The effect of this sudden calm is, that they are still more astonished. Ordinarily a swell follows a tempest.
within themselves. Intense emotion is speechless. Christ’s presence and power filled them with awe. St Matthew gives another detail. And they that were in the boat came and adored Him, saying, Indeed thou art the Son of God (xiv. 33).
52. they understood not, etc. They had failed to learn from the miracle of the previous day, that Christ could command and set aside natural laws.
heart was blinded. Not wilfully by malice, like the Pharisees, who were blind leaders of the blind, but by ignorance and want of discernment. It was for this kind of blindness that Jesus reproved the disciples on the road to Emmaus : Then He said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken (St Luke xxiv. 25).
Additional Notes
Order of events as given by the three Evangelists.
(a) Jesus dismisses His Apostles and tells them to cross to Capharnaum. This He seems to have done when at some little distance inland, since St John tells us, “ And when evening was come, his disciples went down to the sea” (vi. 16).(b) They reluctantly set forth.(c) Jesus dismisses the multitude, hut many of them seem to have slept in the open air, since St John says that “the next day the multitude that stood on the other side of the lake took shipping and came to Capharnaum seeking for Jesus” (vi. 22, 24).(d) They withdraw a little and concert to take Him by force. “Jesus therefore when he knew that they would come to take him by force and make him a king, fled again into the mountain himself alone ” (St John vi. 15).(e) Jesus flees to the mountain alone. Darkness had now set in.(f) Jesus prays on the mountain, while the Apostles are toiling on the lake.(g) Jesus walks on the water and goes to deliver His Apostles from danger.(h) They fearing, cry out, but Jesus reassures them.(i) St Peter walks on the water to go to Christ ; he almost sinks, but Jesus takes him by the hand ; they go to the ship together, and the tempest ceases.(j) All in the boat adore Jesus and^acknowledge His Divinity.(k) Almost instantly the boat reaches the shore.
St Peter’s faith. “ St Peter’s faith and love are everywhere conspicuous. With his usual ardour he believes that he can do, at the command of his Master, what by nature was impossible. . . . The word ‘ if ’ does not argue any want of faith in our Lord on the part of St Peter. It only proves that St Peter might doubt whether it was our Lord or not ” (MacEvilly).
Miracles wrought on this occasion. We note four, viz.—
(1) Our Lord walks on the water.(2) St Peter walks to Him.(3) St Peter when sinking is raised by our Lord.(4) The storm suddenly ceases.
Miracles in Genesareth
[54] And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him:
[55] And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
[56] And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
[53] Et cum transfretassent, venerunt in terram Genesareth, et applicuerunt. [54] Cumque egressi essent de navi, continuo cognoverunt eum : [55] et percurrentes universam regionem illam, coeperunt in grabatis eos, qui se male habebant, circumferre, ubi audiebant eum esse. [56] Et quocumque introibat, in vicos, vel in villas aut civitates, in plateis ponebant infirmos, et deprecabantur eum, ut vel fimbriam vestimenti ejus tangerent, et quotquot tangebant eum, salvi fiebant.
Notes
53. into the land of Genesareth. A plain on the north-western shore of the lake of Genesareth, about three miles long and one wide. It has a most rich vegetation and a very warm climate, being 500 feet below the sea-level. All kinds of fruits, grapes, figs, dates, olives, etc. abound there.
set to the shore : moored the boat. St John tells us they disembarked at Capharnaum.
54. immediately they knew him. It was morning, and the people who were on the shore recognised Jesus.
55. running through the whole country. St Mark’s usual graphic style.
56. hem of his garment. Doubtless the miracle of the healing of the woman with an issue of blood had been noised abroad. In addition, Orientals believe that the contact with a holy person brings grace and blessing.
as many as touched, etc. This proves they had faith in Christ’s power to heal them.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
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