John 6:17
And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμβάντες
entered
G1684
ἐμβάντες
entered
Strong's:
G1684
Word #:
2 of 22
to walk on, i.e., embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐληλύθει
and went
G2064
ἐληλύθει
and went
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Καπερναούμ
Capernaum
G2584
Καπερναούμ
Capernaum
Strong's:
G2584
Word #:
11 of 22
capernaum (i.e., caphanachum), a place in palestine
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγεγόνει
it was
G1096
ἐγεγόνει
it was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 22
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐληλύθει
and went
G2064
ἐληλύθει
and went
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
18 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
19 of 22
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 6:45And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.John 4:46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.John 2:12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Historical Context
The crossing from the feeding site (eastern shore) to Capernaum (northwestern shore) was about 5-6 miles. Their departure without Jesus suggests either a misunderstanding or His instruction that they go ahead (as Mark 6:45 indicates).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we respond when we're in 'darkness' and Jesus seems absent?
- What does this episode teach about trusting Christ's awareness of our situation even when we can't see Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The disciples 'entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum' while 'it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.' Their situation—night, absence of Jesus—parallels spiritual experiences of darkness and felt divine absence. Yet Jesus knows their situation and will come to them. His temporal absence doesn't indicate abandonment.