Bible Strands
John 6:24
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The crowd boards boats near the feeding site and sails to Capernaum to find Jesus and His disciples after noticing their disappearance. This occurs immediately following the feeding miracle and precedes the crowd's direct questioning of Jesus upon arrival.
The words — ὄχλος (ochlos) translates literally as "crowd," identifying the searching group, while Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) names their specific target. The particle οὖν (oun) functions as "therefore," marking their action as a direct response to the preceding absence.
The thread — The geographical pursuit aligns with the disciples' nighttime crossing in John 6:17 and the broader search motif in Mark 1:37. The movement toward the Capernaum region continues the narrative trajectory established in Mark 6:53.
Why it lands — The text records a physical search for a missing person rather than a spiritual inquiry. It requires the reader to note that human pursuit often prioritizes visible presence over the prior teaching or promise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Cross-references
- John 6:17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them.
- Mark 1:37 and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
- Mark 6:53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and moored the boat.
- Luke 8:40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.
- Matthew 14:34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
- John 6:23 However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
- John 6:59 Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
- John 7:11 So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and asking, “Where is He?”
- John 18:4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
- John 20:15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”