John 6:21
What does John 6:21 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:21 means
The disciples gladly receive Jesus into the boat, and immediately the boat reaches the shore. The narrative compresses time to highlight Jesus’s sovereign efficiency—His presence brings them to the goal they labored toward. The sign is not only over the sea but over their struggle; what they strained to accomplish, He completes. Their willingness to receive Him is both literal and suggestive: when Jesus is welcomed, deliverance follows. John presents this as a quiet miracle for disciples’ faith, not for public acclaim. It prepares them to trust His sufficiency when His teaching later offends many.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat: and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat: and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they readily took him into the boat: and straight away the boat was at the land to which they were going.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they were willing then to receive him into the boat, and immediately the boat came unto the land to which they were going.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They were willing therefore to take him into the ship. And presently the ship was at the land to which they were going.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They were willing therefore to receive him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land to which they went.
Context
This conclusion to the sea episode follows Jesus’s reassuring word and precedes the crowd’s pursuit the next day. The swift arrival bookends the disciples’ fear and labor, redirecting attention to Jesus’s authority. The narrative will now return to the multitude, who seek Jesus for more bread and will engage Him in a synagogue dialogue about the true bread from heaven. The private sign strengthens the Twelve before the coming controversy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 24:7
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.
- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- Matthew 14:32
And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.
- Song of Solomon 3:4
It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.
- Mark 6:51
And he went up unto them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves;
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 6
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 6.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About Abiding in Christ
Key scriptures reveal what it means to abide in Christ, emphasizing our continuous connection and dependence on Him for spiritual life and fruitfulness.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.