John 6:18
What does John 6:18 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:18 means
A strong wind drives the sea into waves, intensifying the disciples’ peril. The natural world opposes their progress, illustrating their helplessness apart from Jesus. John’s description is brief yet vivid: the sea rises because the wind blows hard. This is the stage for Jesus to reveal mastery over creation. The danger is real, not imagined, and their fear is understandable. Into this very real threat, Jesus will come. John wants us to feel the force of the storm so that we grasp the force of His word that calms their hearts even before the waves are stilled.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The sea was getting rough because of a strong wind which was blowing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the sea also--a great wind blowing--was being raised,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and the sea was agitated by a strong wind blowing.
Context
The storm detail follows the note about darkness and Jesus’s absence, escalating the tension. The disciples are committed to their destination, but circumstances overwhelm them. The next verse will pinpoint their distance from shore and portray their shock at seeing Jesus walking on the sea. The build-up underscores that what happens next is no illusion or coincidence, but a clear sign of Jesus’s divine authority.
v.17and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
v.18This passage
v.19When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 107:25
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
- Matthew 14:24
But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
- Psalms 135:7
Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;
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