Night Vision and Walking on Water: Mark 6:47-52
“47) When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48) Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49) But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50) for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51) Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52) for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:47-52
Mark gives a slightly different spin on this story than Matthew. (See Matthew 14:22-33) Mark leaves out the incident of Peter attempting to walk on the water. Instead, he focuses on two miraculous qualities of Jesus.
First, Mark comments on the incredible eye sight of Jesus. He noted that Jesus saw them clearly from a long way off in the dark of night struggling against the wind.
I don’t know how to respond to the incredible eye sight of Jesus, but He saw their struggle. I’m not sure if He had super night vision because He was seeing through His Spirit or through His omniscience. Was this a hint He was Jehovah Elroi? (God who sees)
Mark stresses the fact that He clearly saw them in the fourth watch of the night from a very long distance. It is comforting to note that He also sees every struggle you and I have as well. Nothing escapes His notice. He saw both their physical struggle with the winds and their spiritual struggle of faith in His true identity.
Second, Mark commented on the fact that Jesus was walking on the water. One thing is for certain, you can make better progress walking into the wind than rowing a boat into the wind. He was moving faster than them, and intended to pass them.
That’s when they saw Him. They were so terrified by the sight, they thought He was a ghost. This was the first time any human had taken a stroll across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had to speak to them to calm them down. When He got into the boat with them, the wind stopped and they greatly astonished.
Mark then pointed out that Jesus was disappointed that they were void of understanding. They failed to gain any insight about Jesus from the feeding of the 5,000. They had seen and heard so much, but their hearts were still hardened. Unfortunately, this describes many followers of Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
“47) When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48) Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49) But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50) for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51) Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52) for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:47-52
Mark gives a slightly different spin on this story than Matthew. (See Matthew 14:22-33) Mark leaves out the incident of Peter attempting to walk on the water. Instead, he focuses on two miraculous qualities of Jesus.
First, Mark comments on the incredible eye sight of Jesus. He noted that Jesus saw them clearly from a long way off in the dark of night struggling against the wind.
I don’t know how to respond to the incredible eye sight of Jesus, but He saw their struggle. I’m not sure if He had super night vision because He was seeing through His Spirit or through His omniscience. Was this a hint He was Jehovah Elroi? (God who sees)
Mark stresses the fact that He clearly saw them in the fourth watch of the night from a very long distance. It is comforting to note that He also sees every struggle you and I have as well. Nothing escapes His notice. He saw both their physical struggle with the winds and their spiritual struggle of faith in His true identity.
Second, Mark commented on the fact that Jesus was walking on the water. One thing is for certain, you can make better progress walking into the wind than rowing a boat into the wind. He was moving faster than them, and intended to pass them.
That’s when they saw Him. They were so terrified by the sight, they thought He was a ghost. This was the first time any human had taken a stroll across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had to speak to them to calm them down. When He got into the boat with them, the wind stopped and they greatly astonished.
Mark then pointed out that Jesus was disappointed that they were void of understanding. They failed to gain any insight about Jesus from the feeding of the 5,000. They had seen and heard so much, but their hearts were still hardened. Unfortunately, this describes many followers of Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
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