John 6:19
What does John 6:19 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:19 means
After rowing a considerable distance—twenty-five or thirty furlongs—the disciples see Jesus walking on the sea, coming near the boat, and they are afraid. Their toil and the storm have not brought relief; instead, a figure on the waves heightens their fear. John emphasizes the reality: distance covered, a visible approach, and a visceral response. The sign is not just power over nature; it is the Lord drawing near in the midst of chaos. Fear is the natural first response when the holy breaks in. Yet Jesus will answer fear with self-revelation, turning terror into trust.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After they had gone three or four miles they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near to the boat; and they had great fear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having pushed onwards, therefore, about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and coming nigh to the boat, and they were afraid;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When they had rowed therefore about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking upon the sea and drawing nigh to the ship. And they were afraid.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Having rowed then about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the ship; and they were frightened.
Context
This verse climaxes the storm narrative: distance, danger, and the startling sight of Jesus on the water. It follows the reports of darkness and wind. The immediate next verse gives Jesus’s words of assurance—“It is I; be not afraid”—which transform the scene. Then the narrative moves swiftly to safe arrival, underscoring that Jesus’s presence accomplishes what the disciples could not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 27:26
Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas.
- Luke 24:36
And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
- Psalms 93:4
Above the voices of many waters, The mighty breakers of the sea, Jehovah on high is mighty.
- Revelation 21:16
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.
- Matthew 14:25
And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.
- Psalms 29:10
Jehovah satas Kingat the Flood; Yea, Jehovah sitteth as King for ever.
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