After the Miracle: the Walking on the Sea. Though the details are obscure, Jn. gives the key to the situation by recording the dangerous enthusiasm of the crowds, as later on he shows the dangers which threatened from their disillusionment. If we compare the other accounts it would seem that Jesus made the disciples, who no doubt shared the popular excitement, put off in their boat while He dealt with the crowd. Then He retires to the higher ground to pray. As He does not return the disciples put out to sea (?) in the direction of Bethsaida. After rowing about three or four miles, they see Him on, or by the sea, and are frightened. He reassures them, and they wish to take Him into the boat but do not do so, probably a true detail. Soon after, they reach land nearer Capernaum than perhaps they had intended. The story now returns to the crowd. Those who had not dispersed after seeing the disciples put out, and knowing there was no other boat for Him to use, take the opportunity afforded by the coming of boats from the W. side to cross to where they expect He must have gone, Capernaum. They are said to find him, not there, but across the sea, perhaps between Bethsaida and Capernaum. The account, though difficult, is not impossible, and does not seem to be dominated by the theological tendency of the author.
John 6:15-25
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
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.
20 But he saith unto them,It is I; be not afraid.
21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?