to walk upon the sea. They arrive at Capernaum. Matt. xiv. 22,-34. Mark vi. 45,-53. John vi. 14,-21.

THE people thus fed by miracle were unspeakably astonished, for indeed it was wonderful to see and feel the meat extending itself among their hands. In the height of their transport, they proposed to take Jesus by force, and make him a king, that is, would constrain him to assume the title of Messiah without farther delay. Anciently it was usual for great men who courted the favour of the populace, to give public feasts, at which they would treat all the inhabitants of a town or city. (Jos. Bell. ii. 1.) Le Clerc therefore fancies, that this multitude took the miracle. of the loaves for a thing of this kind, and that they expressed their gratitude to Jesus, by offering to aid him in what they supposed was his purpose. Yet the reader may think it as probable, that in this they fulfilled their own inclinations, which led them to wish for the coming of Messiah's kingdom, wherein they all expected to enjoy great secular advantages. For to say the truth, they might very naturally imagine, that he who with five loaves and two fishes could feed so many thousands, was in a condition to support armies any length of time he pleased. But Jesus knowing both the purposes of the multitude, and the inclination of the disciples to encourage them in those purposes, ordered the latter to get into their boat and make for Bethsaida, while he should dismiss the former. The disciples therefore expressed great unwillingness to depart. They would not go till he constrained them. It seems they would gladly have detained the people, with whom they fully agreed in sentiment. For it was their opinion also, that he who could feed such a number with so little, had no reason to conceal himself, but without running the least risk, might take the title of Messiah whenever he pleased. Besides, they certainly supposed that the favourable moment was come, the people being in such a proper temper, that if Jesus but spake the word, they would all to a man have listed under him, and formed an army immediately. John vi. 14. Then those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world: the prophet predicted by Moses, the Messiah. 15. When Jesus therefore perceived, that they would come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. But before Jesus went into the mountain, several things happened which the other evangelists have related. For when the miraculous dinner was over, Jesus perceiving the disposition of the multitude, went down from the hill where he had fed them to the shore, and sent his disciples off in their boat to Bethsaida. The multitude also who had followed him down the hill, he persuaded to depart; then went up again into the mountain. To

[Sect. 61. this agrees John's manner of telling the story. For as it is he who has informed us, that the miraculous dinner was given on a mountain, vi. 3. when he tells us here, that Jesus departed again into a mountain (↔s to ogos, into the mountain), he insinuates, that on some occasion or other he had come down from it. Matt. xiv. 22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, (Mark, unto Bethsaida) while he sent the multitudes away. John xv. 16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down into the sea. 17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea towards Capernaum. Their Master's order was, that they should go to Bethsaida, as Mark informs us; but the wind becoming contrary, as we shall see immediately, they were obliged to sail towards Capernaum. John therefore describes the voyage, not as it was intended, but as it actually happened. The evangelists have not told us how the twelve baskets full of fragments were disposed of. Probably the disciples carried them with them into the boat. So that having before their eyes this most convincing evidence of the miracle, they no doubt discoursed about it among themselves as they sailed, and deliberately reflected on every circumstance which had accompanied it. The people perceiving that Jesus intended to stay, made no scruple to let the disciples go. Perhaps they imagined he was sending them away, to provide such things as he had need of, in order to the expedition. Neither did they refuse to disperse when he commanded them, proposing all to return next morning, as they actually did; a circumstance which proves that they did not go far away.

The multitude being dispersed, Jesus went up into the mountain, where he spent the evening in contemplation and prayer. Matth. xiv. 23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, and his disciples, he went up into a mountain apart to pray. 24. And when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary. The disciples having met with a contrary wind, could not keep their course to Bethsaida, which was situated northwards,

Bethsaida, which was situated northwards, about a league or two from the desart mountain.] If Bethsaida had been at a greater distance, Jesus would hardly have sent the disciples away, nor would they have consented to go; but as it was only a few miles off, he could easily walk thither on foot. By the way, this explains John vi. 17. where we are told, that the disciples, when it was evening, avent towards Capernaum. They rowed hard to keep their course to Bethsaida, but could only make Capernaum, the wind being contrary, and the sea running high by reason of the storm. Or, since John represents them as sailing towards Capernaum before the storm arose, we may conceive his meaning in this manner. Capernaum lying on the west side of the lake, in sailing from the mountain on the eastern shore to Bethsaida, which stood just where the Jordan runs into the lake, they would be obliged to launch out into the deep, as if they

had

northwards, about a league or two from the desart mountain, on which the miraculous dinner was given. They rowed therefore against the wind, to keep as near their course as possible. But they were so tossed with the wind and the sea, that they made no way. For in the beginning of the night they were so near the shore, that notwithstanding the day-light was quite gone, which is what John means by its being dark, Jesus saw them from the mountain toiling and rowing. Mark vi. 47. And when even was come, (John, And it was now dark) the ship was in the midst of the sea, i. e. according to the Hebrew idiom, in the sea. See on Matt. xii. 40. § 48. and he alone on the land. 48. And he saw them toiling in rowing, (for the wind was contrary.) Nay, they made so little way, that in the fourth watch of the night, i. e. after three o'clock in the morning, they had gotten only about one league from the shore. But though Jesus beheld the distress of his disciples, and was about to appear for their relief, they did not see him, neither were they expecting deliverance from him. Thus when the stormy billows of affliction beat upon, and are ready to overwhelm God's people, they are apt to think he hath forgotten them, though he is looking at them all the while, takes particular notice of every thing that befals them, and is about to work their deliverance in a manner altogether unexpected. In such cases, he oft-times of a sudden calms the storm, makes every thing serene around them, and happily brings them into safe port. So Jesus, who had left his disciples alone in the present danger, that he might teach them to rely in the greatest extremities on the providence of God, went to save them, walking upon the sea. Mark vi. 48. And about the fourth watch in the night, he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea. John vi. 19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship. Mark vi. 48. And would have passed by them. This latter circumstance made them all suppose, that what they saw was a spectre or evil spirit, (avraoμa) :—they therefore shrieked for fear. 49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out. 50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. Wherefore, to make them easy, he quickly drew near, and discovered himself to them. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid: re-animating them by his presence and voice, which they were all perfectly acquainted with. The apostle Peter, a man of a warm and forward temper, looking at Jesus walking upon the sea, was exceedingly

struck

had intended for Capernaum, the wind being somewhat contrary. And because in the issue they actually landed there, John represents them as sailing thither at the first. Mark, however, relating this matter more particularly, tells us, that they set out with a design to go to Bethsaida.

struck with it, and conceived a mighty desire of being enabled to do the like. Wherefore, without weighing the matter, he immediately begged that Jesus would bid him come to him on the water. Matt. xiv. 28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. He did not doubt but his Master would gratify him, as he thought he paid him a compliment; his request insinuating, that he would undertake any thing, however difficult, at Christ's command. *There was no height of obedience to which Peter would not soar, though in the issue it appeared, that the pinions of his faith had not strength to bear him up. Accordingly our Lord, to shew him the weakness of his faith, and bear down that high opinion he seems to have entertained of himself, as well as to demonstrate the greatness of his own power, granted Peter his request. For in supporting him on the water along with himself, he appeared greater than if he had walked thereon singly. Besides, it might be designed to obviate the conceit of the Marcionites, Manicheans, and other ancient heretics, who from this passage of the history pretended to prove, that our Lord did not assume a real human body, but only the appearance of one. 29. And he said unto him, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. Peter being thus permitted to walk upon the sea, it flattered his vanity not a little when descending from the vessel he found the water firm under his feet. Hence, at the first he walked towards his Master with abundant confidence; but the wind becoming more boisterous than before, made a dreadful noise, and the sea raging at the same time, shook him in such a manner, that he was on the point of being overturned. His courage staggered. In the hurry of his thoughts, he forgot that Jesus was at hand, and fell into a panic. And now the secret power of God, which, while Peter entertained no doubt, had made the sea firm under him, began to withdraw itself. In proportion as his faith decreased, the water yielded, and he sank. In this extremity he looked round for Christ, and on the very brink of being swallowed up, cried to Jesus for help. Matt. xiv. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried, Lord, save me.Jesus dealt very mercifully with his apostle, in not suffering him

to

There was no height of obedience to which Peter would not soar.] That this was the true language of his action, may be gathered from the following circumstance. It would have been perfectly ridiculous in the apostle, to have asked such a proof of the person's being Jesus who spake to him, as, had it failed, would have become fatal to himself. No man in his senses can be supposed to have desired a proof of that kind. Peter's request therefore should have been translated, Matt. xiv. 28. Seeing it is thou, command me to come unto thee on the water. The particle being here put for 1, according to the Hebrew form of using the particles promiscuously. See Acts iv. 9, 11, 17. in the Greck.

He must

to drop to the bottom at once. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Peter did not doubt that it was Jesus who walked upon the water. have been convinced of that before he left the vessel; nay, must have been convinced of it while he was sinking, else he would not have called to him for assistance. But he was afraid that Jesus could not, or would not support him against the wind, which blew more fiercely than before; a doubt most unreasonable and culpable, since it was as easy to support him against the storm, as to keep him up on the water, which Jesus had virtually promised to do in his permission, and which he had actually performed when Peter first left the vessel. The people of God, warned by this example, should beware of presumption and self-sufficiency, and in all their actions should take care not to be precipitate. Wherever God calls them, they are boldly to go, not terrified at the danger or difficulty of the duty; his providence being always able to support and protect them. But he who goes without a call, or proceeds farther than he is called, who rushes into difficulties and temptations without any reason, may by the unhappy issue of his conduct, be made to feel how dangerous a thing it is for one to go out of his sphere. John vi. 21. Then they willingly received him into the ship. Being convinced by the miracle of making Peter walk upon the sea, that it was no spectre, but their Master, they received him into the ship with joy, in expectation perhaps that he would make the wind and the sea calm. Nor were their hopes frustrated. For as soon as he came into the boat, the storm ceased so suddenly, that they were all sensible it was the effect of his power and will; an opinion which they would be confirmed in, if, as on other occasions, he now rebuked the wind and the sea. Mark vi. 51. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased. On this occasion Jesus seems to have wrought another miracle also; for no sooner had he hushed the storm, than, driven by his power, they found themselves with their boat, in an instant safe at land. John 21. Then they willingly received him into the ship, * and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. John tells us, ver. 17, that "they went over the sea towards Capernaum." The country of Gennezareth therefore, where they landed, as Matthew and Mark tell us afterwards, was not far from Capernaum. According to Josephus, Bell. iii. 18. the land of Gennezareth ran thirty furlongs

• Ver. 21. And immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.] That there was a miracle here is probable; for when Jesus came to the disciples walking upon the sea, they had rowed only twenty-five or thirty furlongs from the desert mountain, John vi. 19. that is, but half the distance between the mountain and the town of Capernaum, nigh to which they landed, the breadth of the lake, which lay between the two places, John vi. 17. being forty-eight furlongs, 25.