When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

JOHN 6:24KJV
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John 6:24 (KJV)

What does John 6:24 mean?

John 6:24 describes how, after realizing that Jesus and his disciples were no longer present, the crowd got into boats and traveled to Capernaum to look for Jesus. The verse shows the people’s determination to find Jesus after he had left the area.

This moment takes place after Jesus fed the five thousand and then withdrew from the crowd. The people, noticing both Jesus and his disciples were gone, decided to cross the Sea of Galilee in boats to Capernaum, a town where Jesus often taught. The verse highlights their eagerness and effort to seek out Jesus, setting up the conversations that follow in the chapter.

The Greek behind John 6:24

  • The word for "shipping" is πλοῖον (ploion), which means "boat" or "ship." The Greek here shows the people actively getting into boats, not just traveling by land, which emphasizes the effort they made to find Jesus.
  • The verb "seeking" is ζητέω (zēteō), meaning "to look for" or "to search." This word often carries the sense of an intentional search, suggesting the crowd was not just curious but truly intent on finding Jesus.

Why John 6:24 matters

  • John 6:24 shows the crowd’s strong motivation to follow Jesus, even when it required effort and travel, which sets the stage for the deeper discussions about his identity and teaching that follow.
  • This verse connects the miracle of feeding the five thousand with the later teaching in Capernaum, helping readers see the continuity in the narrative.
  • The detail that both Jesus and his disciples were gone explains why the crowd took action, making clear that their search was deliberate and not accidental.

Where else these words appear

“Capernaum” Greek G2584 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
  • Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

“took” Greek G1684 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
  • Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
  • Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

“shipping” Greek G4143 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
  • Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

“there” Greek G1563 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
  • John 6:3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.