Devine Scripture

John 6:2

What does John 6:2 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:2 means

The crowds pursue Jesus because they have seen His healing signs. Their attraction is understandable—He relieves suffering and demonstrates real power. Yet their motivation is mixed. They are captivated by the benefits He brings more than by the meaning of the signs, which point beyond themselves to His identity. John highlights this pattern to show how easily people can value temporary help over the eternal life Jesus offers. The pursuit of Jesus for physical blessings alone cannot sustain true discipleship. This hunger for signs will set up a contrast with the hunger Jesus intends to satisfy—hunger for the life that only He can give.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a great number of people went after him because they saw the signs which he did on those who were ill.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there was following him a great multitude, because they were seeing his signs that he was doing on the ailing;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and a great crowd followed him, because they saw the signs which he wrought upon the sick.

Context

The multitude’s following builds the tension for the feeding miracle. Their presence creates a pressing need and a test for Jesus’s disciples. Soon Jesus will address not only bodies but hearts, leading from bread that fills stomachs to truth that fills souls. This verse bridges from earlier healings to a new sign involving provision, which the crowd will misread as a political opportunity. Understanding their motives prepares readers for why Jesus later confronts them about working for perishable food rather than the food that endures to eternal life.

v.1After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which isthe seaof Tiberias.

v.2This passage

v.3And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 12:15

    And Jesus perceivingitwithdrew from thence: and many followed him; and he healed them all,

  • Matthew 4:24

    And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.

  • John 2:11

    This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

  • Mark 6:33

    And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.

  • Matthew 15:30

    And there came unto him great multitudes, having with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down at his feet; and he healed them:

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