And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

JOHN 6:16KJV
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John 6:16 (KJV)

What does John 6:16 mean?

John 6:16 marks a change of scene: as evening comes, Jesus’ disciples move toward the shore, beginning a journey that will take them across the water. The verse sets the time and place for what happens next.

The disciples are Jesus’ followers and students. After Jesus withdraws to the mountain in verse 15, the story follows the disciples as they go down to the Sea of Galilee.

The Greek behind John 6:16

  • “even” — ὀψία (opsia): This word means evening. It places the disciples’ move toward the water late in the day, before the darkness mentioned in verse 17.
  • “disciples” — μαθητής (mathētēs): This word carries the sense of a learner or student. In John 6:16, it describes people who have been following and learning from Jesus.

Why John 6:16 matters

  • The verse sets up a separation between Jesus and the disciples. Verse 15 places Jesus on the mountain, while verse 16 follows the disciples to the sea; verse 17 then says Jesus had not yet come to them.
  • The journey begins before the difficult conditions are mentioned. The disciples go down to the sea in verse 16, and verse 18 later describes a strong wind stirring the water.

Where else these words appear

“even” Greek G3798 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
  • Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
  • Mark 6:47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

“down” Greek G2597 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
  • Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

“sea” Greek G2281 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
  • 1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;