John 6:2
in John 6A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick.
KJV
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
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This verse in John 6
Commentary
19 notes on this verseAnd a great multitude followed him,.... From several cities and towns in Galilee, where he had been preaching and working miracles: because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased; so that it was not for the sake of his doctrine, or for the good of their souls, they followed him; but either to gratify their curiosity in seeing his miracles, or to be healed in their bodies, as others had been.
This site's exposition
the Sea of Tiberias
on John 6:1-4
John gives the lake both of its names, the Sea of Galilee and the Sea of Tiberias. The second comes from the city Herod Antipas built on its shore. A large crowd follows Him after the signs He worked on the sick, and the Passover was near.
This site's exposition
because they saw the signs
John gives the crowd's reason as the signs, healings he leaves the other Gospels to record, as Clarke observes. Gill reads the motive as curiosity or the hope of bodily cure, while Calvin sees an eagerness to hear Christ. Verse 26 puts the motive to the test.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
This, then, was done to admonish the senses, that they might rise to understand the mind, and exercise the eyes of the heart, that in visible works they might acknowledge the invisible God. And it was not enough for us to behold in the miracles only that, which pertained to miracles: we must also search out what this miracle, which Christ wrought, tells us and what it means: for whoever marks the works, may understand some meaning of Christ speaking as it were in them; since the miracle itself is, as we may say, a kind of speech.
(Tr. xxiv. s. 1, 2) But let us reflect a little here. Forasmuch as the Divine Substance is not visible to the eye, and the miracles of the divine government of the world, and ordering of the whole creation, are overlooked in consequence of their constancy; God has reserved to Himself acts, beside the established course and order of nature, to do at suitable times; in order that those who overlooked the daily course of nature, might be roused to wonder by the sight of what was different from, though not at all greater, than what they were used to. The government of the world is a greater miracle, than the satisfying the hunger of five thousand with five loaves; and yet no one wonders at this: the former excited wonder; not from any real superiority in it, but because it was uncommon. But it would be wrong to gather no more than this from Christ's miracles: for, the Lord who is on the mounte, and the Word of God which is on high, the same is no humble person to be lightly passed over, but we must look up to Him reverently.
"A great multitude followed Him beholding the miracles that He did." What is here told marks not a very wise state of mind; for when they had enjoyed such teaching, they still were more attracted by the miracles, which was a sign of the grosser state. For "miracles," It saith, "are not for believers, but for unbelievers." The people described by Matthew acted not thus, but how? They all, he saith "were astonished at His doctrine, because He taught as one having authority."
The miracles which our Lord Jesus Christ wrought, are indeed divine works, and admonish the human mind to rise from visible things to the knowledge of God. For since He is not of such substance as can be seen with the eyes, and His miracles whereby He governs the whole world, and provides for all creation, tend, by reason of their constant recurrence, to become cheap in men's esteem; so that almost no one deigns to consider the wonderful and stupendous works of God, displayed in every grain of seed: according to His own mercy He has reserved to Himself certain works to do in suitable time beside the wonted course and order of nature; so that men beholding, not greater but uncommon works, should be struck with wonder, for whom daily things had become cheap.
For the government of the whole world is a greater miracle than the satisfying five thousand men with five loaves: and yet at this no one wonders; at the other, men wonder, not because it is greater, but because it is rare. For who now feeds the whole world, but He who out of a few seeds creates the harvests? He wrought, therefore, as God. For by the same power whereby He multiplies the stores of grain from a few seeds, did He multiply in His hands the five loaves. For power was in the hands of Christ, and those five loaves were as seeds, not indeed committed to the earth, but multiplied by Him who made the earth.
11 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church5 voices
The crowd that followed him is described as large, And a great multitude followed him. The reason why they followed him is because he was performing miracles, hence he says, because they saw the miracles he worked on those who were sick. We should point …
He goes from place to place to try the dispositions of people, and excite a desire to hear Him: And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.
"And a great multitude followed Him": and the reason for this is added: "Because they saw the signs which He did upon those who were infirm." On account of these signs to be seen they followed Christ, because, as is said in First Corinthians 1, …
viz. His giving sight to the blind, and other like miracles. And it should be understood, that all, whom He healed in body, He renewed likewise in soul.
He moves from place to place in order to test the disposition of the people. For while the negligent remained in their place, the more zealous followed after Him. However, look, even those who followed, followed not because of the teaching, but because of the …
The Reformation1 voice
Here we see, in the first place, how eager was the desire of the people to hear Christ, since all of them, forgetting themselves, take no concern about spending the night in a desert place.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
(2.) Christ's miracles drew many after him that were not effectually drawn to him. They had their curiosity gratified by the strangeness of them, who had not their consciences convinced by the power of them. Christ's posting himself advantageously to entertain them (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
They saw his miracles which he did - John does not mention these miracles; but Matthew details them, Matthew 12:2-14:13. John seems more intent on supplying the deficiencies of the other evangelists than in writing a connected history himself.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
These verses describe one of our Lord's most remarkable miracles. Of all the great works that He did, none was done so publicly as this, and before so many witnesses. Of all the miracles related in the Gospels, this is the only one which all the four Gospel-writers alike record. This fact alone (like the four times repeated account of the crucifixion and resurrection) is enough to show that it is a miracle demanding special attention. We have, for one thing, in this miracle, a lesson about Christ's almighty power.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
These verses describe one of our Lord's most remarkable miracles. Of all the great works that He did, none was done so publicly as this, and before so many witnesses. Of all the miracles related in the Gospels, this is the only one which all the four Gospel-writers alike record. This fact alone (like the four times repeated account of the crucifixion and resurrection) is enough to show that it is a miracle demanding special attention. We have, for one thing, in this miracle, a lesson about Christ's almighty power. We see our Lord feeding five thousand men with "five barley loaves and two small fish." We see clear proof that a miraculous event took place in the "twelve baskets of fragments" that remained after all had eaten. Creative power was manifestly exercised. Food was called into existence that did not exist before. In healing the sick, and raising the dead, something was amended or restored that had already existed. In feeding five thousand men with five loaves, something must have been created which before had no existence. Such a history as this ought to be specially instructive and encouraging to all who endeavor to do good to souls. It shows us the Lord Jesus "able to save to the uttermost." He is One who has all power over dead hearts. Not only can He mend that which is broken—build up that which is ruined—heal that which is sick—strengthen that which is weak. He can do even greater things than these. He can call into being that which was not before, and call it out of nothing. We must never despair of any one being saved. So long as there is life there is hope. Reason and sense may say that some poor sinner is too hardened, or too old to be converted. Faith will reply—"Our Master can create as well as renew . With a Savior who, by His Spirit, can create a new heart, nothing is impossible."
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Because they saw his miracles ... - They saw that he had the power to supply their wants, and they therefore followed him. See Joh 6:26. Compare also Mat 14:14.
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἠκολούθει | ekolouthei | Was following | G190 → | 90 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| αὐτῷ | auto | after Him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὄχλος | ochlos | a crowd | G3793 → | 175 times |
| πολύς, | polus | great, | G4183 → | 367 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | because | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἐθεώρουν | etheoroun | they were experiencing | G2334 → | 58 times |
| τὰ | ta | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| σημεῖα | semeia | signs | G4592 → | 75 times |
| ἃ | ha | which | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| ἐποίει | epoiei | He was doing | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ἐπὶ | epi | upon | G1909 → | 883 times |
| τῶν | ton | those | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀσθενούντων. | asthenounton | being sick. | G770 → | 33 times |
ἠκολούθειWas following
ekoloutheiG190 →90 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
αὐτῷafter Him
autoG846 →5565 times
ὄχλοςa crowd
ochlosG3793 →175 times
πολύς,great,
polusG4183 →367 times
ὅτιbecause
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἐθεώρουνthey were experiencing
etheorounG2334 →58 times
τὰthe
taG3588 →19766 times
σημεῖαsigns
semeiaG4592 →75 times
ἃwhich
haG3739 →1405 times
ἐποίειHe was doing
epoieiG4160 →569 times
ἐπὶupon
epiG1909 →883 times
τῶνthose
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἀσθενούντων.being sick.
asthenountonG770 →33 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 2:11Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
it leads to
- John 20:30–31
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
- John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 3:2
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were…
- John 6:14
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
- Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
- John 20:30–31
Through
Matthew 14:14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
it leads to
- Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- Hebrews 2:17
For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement…
- Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Hebrews 4:15
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies28
- Bread
- The Bronze Serpent
- Cut Off from Among His People
- Eternal Life
- Eternal Security, and the Five Warnings of Hebrews
- Feeding the Five Thousand, John 6:1-15
Show the next 6 titles
Show the next 6 titles
About John
This page draws on 16 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alcuin of York, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John 24; Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on John, Chapter 6; Brooke Foss Westcott, The Gospel according to St. John; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of John 42; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on John and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on John.