And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

MARK 6:48KJV
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Mark 6:48 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:48 mean?

Mark 6:48 describes how Jesus saw his disciples struggling to row their boat because the wind was against them, and during the early morning hours, he came toward them, walking on the sea, and appeared as though he would pass by them. This verse shows Jesus noticing his disciples’ difficulty and approaching them in a miraculous way.

In this scene, the disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, facing strong winds that make rowing very hard. Jesus is not with them at first but sees their struggle from a distance. The mention of the "fourth watch of the night" means it was very late, between 3 and 6 a.m., emphasizing how long they had been battling the wind. Jesus walking on the water and seeming to pass by highlights both his power over nature and the mysterious way he sometimes reveals himself.

The Greek behind Mark 6:48

  • The word "toiling" (βασανιζόμενους, basanizomenous) means being tormented or in great difficulty, not just working hard. This suggests the disciples were truly struggling, not just mildly inconvenienced.
  • "Contrary" (ἐναντίος, enantios) describes the wind as being directly against them, reinforcing that the conditions were not just difficult but actively opposing their progress.
  • "Fourth watch" (τετάρτη φυλακή, tetartē phylakē) refers to a Roman way of dividing the night, showing it was the last part of the night before dawn, which adds to the sense of exhaustion and isolation.
  • "Would have passed by them" (ἤθελεν παρελθεῖν αὐτούς, ēthelen parelthein autous) is often understood as Jesus intending to go past, not ignoring them, but perhaps revealing himself in a way that echoes God’s appearances in the Old Testament, where God "passes by" to show his presence.

Why Mark 6:48 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus was fully aware of his disciples’ struggles even when he was not physically with them, which can be easily overlooked.
  • The detail about Jesus walking on the sea and seeming to pass by connects this story to moments in the Hebrew Scriptures where God reveals himself in unexpected ways, deepening the sense of Jesus’ identity.
  • Mark 6:48 sets up the dramatic moment when the disciples see Jesus and are afraid, leading to a deeper understanding of who he is in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“rowing” Greek G1643 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
  • John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
  • James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

“contrary” Greek G1727 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
  • Acts 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
  • Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

“fourth” Greek G5067 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
  • Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
  • Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

“toiling” Greek G928 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
  • Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
  • Revelation 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.