John 6 · Verse 15

John 6:15

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

John 6:15, King James Version

John 6:15 in other translations

BSB	Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
WEB	Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
ASV	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.
YLT	Jesus, therefore, having known that they are about to come, and to take him by force that they may make him king, retired again to the mountain himself alone.
DARBY	Jesus therefore knowing that they were going to come and seize him, that they might make him king, departed again to the mountain himself alone.
BBE	Now when Jesus saw that the people were about to come and take him by force to make him a king, he went away again up the mountain by himself.
Webster	When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again to a mountain himself alone.

What does John 6:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 6:14-15

14-15. that prophet--(See on Joh 1:21).

Read the full comment on John 6:14-15 →

Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. When Jesus perceived, &c. They were satisfied by the miracle that he was the Messiah. They supposed that the Messiah was to be a temporal prince. They saw that Jesus was retiring, unambitious, and indisposed to assume the ensigns of office. They thought, therefore, that they would proclaim him as the long-expected king, and constrain him to assume the character and titles of an earthly prince. Men often attempt to dictate to God, and suppose that they understand what is right better than he does. They are fond of pomp and power, but Jesus sought retirement, and evinced profound humility. Though he had claims to the honour and gratitude of the nation, yet he sought it not in this way; nor did it evince a proper spirit in his followers when they sought to advance him to a place of external splendour and regal authority.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 15 Take him by force, to make him a king - The Jews had often suffered by famine in those times in which their enemies were permitted to prevail over them; but, finding that Jesus had such power as to multiply a few loaves to feed thousands, they took it for granted that while he was at their head no evil could possibly happen to them, and therefore were determined immediately to proclaim him king, and rid themselves at once of Herod and the Romans. Our Lord perceiving this, either by some words which they had dropped, or by his penetration of their hearts, retired before the project had been fully formed, or could be put into execution. It was not till a considerable time afterwards that even the disciples fully understood that his kingdom was not of this world. Into a mountain - That on which he was with his disciples previously to his working this miracle: see Joh 6:3. St. Matthew, Mat 14:22, Mat 14:23, and Mark, Mar 6:45, Mar 6:46, say that, before this, Jesus constrained his disciples to embark in the vessel, and go along the sea coast towards Capernaum, or Bethsaida - see here Joh 6:17, and the note on Mar 6:45 (note); and that, after they were gone, he dismissed the multitudes, having, no doubt, given them such advices as the nature of the case required; after which he went into the mountain to pray. Worldly wisdom would have said, "Declare thyself king: yield to the desires of the people: this will be the readiest way of converting the Jews." No. Jesus must die for the sin of the world. - No man's heart can be turned to God by outward pomp or splendor - no saving change can be brought about by any might or any power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts. Zac 4:6.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 6:15-21

Here were Christ's disciples in the way of duty, and Christ was praying for them; yet they were in distress. There may be perils and afflictions of this present time, where there is an interest in Christ. Clouds and darkness often surround the children of the light and of the day. They see Jesus walking on the sea. Even the approaches of comfort and deliverance often are so mistaken, as to become the occasions of fear. Nothing is more powerful to convince sinners than that word, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest;" nothing more powerful to comfort saints than this, "I am Jesus whom thou lovest." If we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, though the night be dark, and the wind high, yet we may comfort ourselves, we shall be at the shore before long.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

John 6:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424

οὖνounthereforeG3767

γνοὺςgnoushaving knownG1097

ὅτιhotithatG3754

μέλλουσινmellousinthey are aboutG3195

ἔρχεσθαιerchesthaito comeG2064

καὶkaiandG2532

ἁρπάζεινharpazeinto seizeG726

αὐτὸνautonHimG846

ἵναinathatG2443

ποιήσωσινpoiēsōsinthey may makeG4160

βασιλέαbasileakingG935

ἀνεχώρησενanechōrēsenwithdrewG402

πάλινpalinagainG3825

εἰςeistoG1519

τὸtotheG3588

ὄροςorosmountainG3735

αὐτὸςautosHimselfG846

μόνος.¶monosalone.G3441

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 6:15

John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 7:3-4
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
Luke 19:38
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
John 6:15-21
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. …
Mark 11:9
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Mark 6:45-52
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. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. …
John 5:41
I receive not honour from men.
John 2:24-25
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Matthew 14:22-33
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. …
John 12:12-15
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

perceived.
2:24,25; Heb 4:13
take.
7:3,4; 12:12,13; Mr 11:9; Lu 19:38
he departed.
5:41; 18:36; Mt 14:22; Mr 6:46-52

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

John 6:14
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
John 6:16
And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

Read all of John 6

John 6:15 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y entendiendo Jesús que habían de venir para arrebatarle, y hacerle rey, volvió á retirarse al monte, él solo.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Jésus donc, sachant qu’ils allaient venir et l’enlever afin de le faire roi, se retira encore sur la montagne, lui tout seul.
German Elberfelder 1871	Da nun Jesus erkannte, daß sie kommen und ihn ergreifen wollten, auf daß sie ihn zum König machten, entwich er wieder auf den Berg, er selbst allein.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Jesus ergo cum cognovisset quia venturi essent ut raperent eum, et facerent eum regem, fugit iterum in montem ipse solus.