And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

MARK 6:47KJV
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Mark 6:47 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:47 mean?

Mark 6:47 describes how, as evening arrived, the disciples’ boat was far out in the middle of the sea, while Jesus remained alone on the land. The verse sets the scene for what happens next, highlighting the physical separation between Jesus and his disciples.

Mark is narrating the events after Jesus sent his disciples ahead by boat while he stayed behind to pray. The detail that the boat was "in the midst of the sea" and Jesus was "alone on the land" emphasizes the disciples’ isolation and foreshadows the challenge they will soon face on the water, with Jesus not physically present.

The Greek behind Mark 6:47

  • μέσον (meson, "midst"): The Greek word for "midst" points to the boat being right in the middle of the sea, not near the shore, which underscores how far the disciples were from help.
  • μόνος (monos, "alone"): The word for "alone" stresses Jesus’ solitude on land, drawing attention to his separation from the group at this moment.

Why Mark 6:47 matters

  • Mark 6:47 clarifies that the disciples were in a vulnerable position, far from land and Jesus, which sets up the significance of the miracle that follows.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ intentional withdrawal, a pattern seen elsewhere in the Gospels, where he seeks solitude for prayer or reflection.
  • This separation between Jesus and the disciples helps readers understand the tension and the sense of helplessness the disciples might have felt before Jesus comes to them on 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 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

“alone” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

“ship” 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.