Sunday School (20)

John 6:15-25

As we continue our story through John, Jesus has just fed the multitude. Let’s pick up our story here. Would someone read John 5:15-25 out loud please?

John 6:15–25

John 6:15–25 NASB95

So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there, except one, and that Jesus had not entered with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples had gone away alone. There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus realizes the crowd wants to seize Him and make Him king by force. He withdraws alone to the mountain.

Verse 15

The crowd’s political expectation contrasts sharply with Jesus’ mission. They want a miracle-working ruler who can meet their physical needs; Jesus came to bring spiritual life.

Why did Jesus refuse to be made king? Because their desire was political and earthly, not spiritual. His kingship is on God’s terms, not human enthusiasm.

What does Jesus’ withdrawal teach us? He chooses obedience to the Father rather than popularity. It also shows the spiritual danger of misplaced messianic expectations.

Verses 16–17

Evening comes. The disciples go down to the sea, board a boat, and head toward Capernaum without Jesus. Darkness sets in. The disciples may have expected Jesus to meet them later. Their obedience leads them into a situation that becomes difficult but purposeful.

Why did the disciples leave without Jesus? Based on the other Gospels because Jesus instructed them to go ahead, or they assumed He would meet them later. The Gospels suggest He directed them.

What is the significance of “it was already dark”? John often uses darkness symbolically. Here it prepares the scene for Jesus’ revealing action.

Verse 18.

A strong wind causes the sea to become rough. Difficulty arises in obedience. Problems do not necessarily mean disobedience; God often shapes faith through trials.

Why mention the storm? It highlights human helplessness and Jesus’ divine authority when He later appears.

Verse 19

After rowing several miles, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water. They are frightened. A miraculous sign reveals Jesus’ identity. Walking on water is an action associated with divine power in the Old Testament (e.g., God’s mastery over the seas).

Why were the disciples afraid? They were not expecting Jesus, and they were seeing something only God could do, which naturally produced fear.

What does Jesus walking on water signify? His sovereignty over creation and His divine nature.

Verse 20

Jesus tells them not to be afraid and identifies Himself. Jesus’ presence replaces fear with confidence. His self-identification echoes divine statements (“It is I,” reminiscent of “I AM”).

Why is His statement calming? Because fear often comes from misinterpreting circumstances. Recognizing Christ’s presence reframes the storm.

Verse 21

The disciples willingly take Him into the boat, and immediately they reach their destination. Another miraculous detail: their arrival is instantaneous. The combination of the calming of fear and the completion of the journey underscores Jesus’ authority.

Why mention the immediate arrival? To show that Jesus not only rescues but brings them safely where they need to go—physically and spiritually.

What’s the spiritual lesson? When Christ is welcomed, progress becomes possible; without Him, effort alone is insufficient.

Verses 22–23

The next day, the crowd notices that Jesus did not get into the boat with His disciples. Some boats arrive from Tiberias near where the bread was multiplied. The crowd is curious and confused, setting up the context for the Bread of Life discourse.

Why highlight that the crowd saw only one boat? To show they knew Jesus didn’t leave normally. This detail supports the miraculous nature of His crossing.

What is the significance of the new boats arriving? They provide a way for the crowd to go look for Jesus.

Verse 24

The crowd gets into boats and goes to Capernaum searching for Jesus. They seek Jesus, but for the wrong reasons—primarily the physical benefits He provides.

What does their pursuit reveal? Human tendency to seek God for material blessing rather than spiritual truth.

Verse 25

The crowd finds Jesus in Capernaum and asks when He got there. They ignore His miracle and focus on logistics. This sets up Jesus’ teaching about their motives (in the following verses).

Why do they ask how Jesus arrived? They sensed something extraordinary happened, but they focused on curiosity rather than meaning.

How does this transition to Jesus’ teaching? It opens the door for His correction: they are seeking Him not because they saw signs rightly, but because they were filled with bread.

What are some key takeaways that you observed in our story this morning?