And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
And the people [`the multitudes' hoi (G3588 ) ochloi (G3793 )] saw them departing, and many knew him. The true reading would seem to be: 'And many saw them departing, and knew or receded [them]' - х Kai (G2532) eidon (G1492) autous (G846) hupagontas (G5217) kai (G2532) epegnoosan (G1921) polloi (G4183)].
And ran afoot, х pezee (G3979)]. Here, perhaps, it should be rendered 'by land'-running round by the head of the lake, and taking one of the fords of the river, so as to meet Jesus, who was crossing with the Twelve by ship.
Thither out of all cities, and outwent them - got before them, and came together unto him. How exceedingly graphic is this! Every touch of it betokening the presence of an eye-witness. John (John 6:3) says, that "Jesus went up into a mountain" - somewhere in that hilly range, the green table-land which skirts the eastern side of the lake.