Devine Scripture

Mark 6:45

What does Mark 6:45 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:45 means

Mark 6:45 tells that Jesus constrained his disciples to enter the boat and go before him to the other side to Bethsaida while he sent the multitude away. He urges them to move on—perhaps for safety, mission, or rest—and sends them ahead to cross the lake. The verb “constrained” suggests urgency or insistence; Jesus controls the timing and direction of ministry. Sending the crowd away frees him for solitary prayer. The move sets up the conditions for the following night’s storm and Jesus’ miraculous approach, where he will demonstrate authority over nature.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And straight away he made his disciples get into the boat, and go before him to the other side to Beth-saida, while he himself sent the people away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And immediately he constrained his disciples to go into the boat, and to go before to the other side, unto Bethsaida, till he may let the multitude away,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And immediately he obliged his disciples to go up into the ship, that they might go before him over the water to Bethsaida, whilst he dismissed the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And immediately he compelled his disciples to go on board ship, and to go on before to the other side to Bethsaida, while he sends the crowd away.

Context

This verse follows the feeding of the five thousand and the gathering of leftovers (verses 41–44). It begins the transition from public miracle to personal communion: Jesus dispatches the disciples by boat and dismisses the crowd so he can pray. This separation prepares the scene for the walking-on-water episode, where the disciples will experience fear, confusion, and awe, learning more about Jesus’ identity and power.

v.44And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men.

v.45This passage

v.46And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray.

Cross references

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

  • John 6:15

    Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.

  • Mark 6:32

    And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart.

  • Matthew 14:22

    And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 6:45.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary