John 6:1
What does John 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:1 means
This verse sets the scene for a new sequence in Jesus’s ministry. He crosses to the far side of the sea of Galilee, also called the sea of Tiberias, signaling both geographical movement and a moment of withdrawal from crowded centers. John’s double naming reminds readers of the lake’s regional and imperial associations. Jesus’s change of location often precedes a fresh display of His power. The crossing prepares us to see not only what He can do, but who He is. In John, physical movements frequently point to spiritual truths; here, the one who rules the waters will shortly reveal Himself as the giver of bread from heaven.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which isthe seaof Tiberias.
KJV
King James Version · 1611After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which isthe seaof Tiberias.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee--that is, the sea of Tiberias.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862After these things Jesus went away beyond the sea of Galilee (of Tiberias),
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890After these things Jesus went away beyond the sea of Galilee, [or] of Tiberias,
Context
After a cycle of signs and teaching, John turns our attention to a lakeside episode that will become the backdrop for a major discourse. Jesus’s move across the sea introduces the feeding of the five thousand and the later “Bread of Life” teaching. The narrative will first display a public miracle, then a private miracle for the disciples, before shifting to synagogue instruction in Capernaum. Recognizing this movement helps readers follow the flow from visible wonders to deeper spiritual claims about Jesus’s identity and mission.
v.1This passage
v.2And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 34:11
and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward;
- John 6:23
(howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks):
- Matthew 4:18
And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers.
- Joshua 12:3
and the Arabah unto the sea of Chinneroth, eastward, and unto the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth-jeshimoth; and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah:
- Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heardit, he withdrew from thence in a boat, to a desert place apart: and when the multitudes heard thereof, they followed him on foot from the cities.
- Luke 5:1
Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
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