John 6 · Verse 16

John 6:16

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
John 6:16, King James Version

John 6:16 in other translations

BSBWhen evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
WEBWhen evening came, his disciples went down to the sea.
ASVAnd when evening came, his disciples went down unto the sea;
YLTAnd when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
DARBYBut when evening was come, his disciples went down to the sea,
BBEWhen evening came the disciples went down to the sea;
WebsterAnd when evening had now come, his disciples went down to the sea,

What does John 6:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 6:16-17
16-17. when even was come--(See on Mr 6:35). entered into a ship--"constrained" to do so by their Master (Mt 14:22; Mr 6:45), in order to put an end to the misdirected excitement in His favor (Joh 6:15), into which the disciples themselves may have been somewhat drawn. The word "constrained" implies reluctance on their part, perhaps from unwillingness to part with their Master and embark at night, leaving Him alone on the mountain. went--rather, "were proceeding." toward Capernaum--Mark says (Mr 6:45), "unto Bethsaida," meaning "Bethsaida of Galilee" (Joh 12:21), on the west side of the lake. The place they left was of the same name (see on Mr 6:32). Jesus was not come to them--They probably lingered in hopes of His still joining them, and so let the darkness come on.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verses 16-21. See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in Mt 14:22, also Mt 14:23-33. Comp. Mk 6:45-52.

(f) "And when even was now come" Mt 14:23, Mk 6:47

Albert Barnes, 1834 · 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…

Read the full comment on John 6:15-21 →

John 6:16 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.

ὩςHōsWhenG5613
δὲdenowG1161
ὀψίαopsiaeveningG3798
ἐγένετο,egenetoit became,G1096
κατέβησανkatebēsanwent downG2597
οἱhoitheG3588
μαθηταὶmathētaidisciplesG3101
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
ἐπὶepitoG1909
τὴνtēntheG3588
θάλασσαν,thalassansea,G2281

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

Context

  • 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,

  • John 6:17

    And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

Read all of John 6

John 6:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y como se hizo tarde, descendieron sus discípulos á la mar;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et quand le soir fut venu, ses disciples descendirent à la mer.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als es aber Abend geworden war, gingen seine Jünger hinab an den See;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ut autem sero factum est, descenderunt discipuli ejus ad mare.