John 6:22–25

Followeth unto the end of the Chapter Christs excellent Sermon or conference with his followers, some occasions whereof are recorded, verse 22, 23, 24, 25. and the Sermon it self, with the effects and consequents that followed thereupon, in the rest of the Chapter.

In these verses, we have the occasions of this Sermon; (which also are a further effect of the miracle of the loaves;) The first whereof is more remote, that the multitude who had been miraculously sed, knowing that Christ had not gone with his disciples, and that there was no other boat there, did, the next day, expect that possibly they would finde him there still, on the mountain to which he went: But finding him gone, as well as the disciples, they (being provided of other boats, as is marked, verse 23.) do follow and seek him. The other occasion of the conference, (verse 25.) is more near, that having found him, they enter into familiar discourse with him, and enquire concerning his getting to that place. It is not needful to determine, whether they suspected any thing of his miraculous passage; Though it be not improbable that they were taught, as well as the disciples, thereby: And one work of Christ in feeding men miraculously, may discover more of him, and that he can passe over a sea without a boat; And they who were on land, free of a storme, may have a better fight of Christs power, then disciples in their perplexity, whose judgements and discerning were confounded with tentation and trouble: Yea their narrow marking of circumstances, that there was no other boat there, may import they suspected it, by their following him when they found him not there: And indeed, narrow consideration will discover more of him, then sleight observers do ordinarily remark. But that which is certainly cleare, is, that they, not finding him there, do seek him where his disciples were, and providence furnisheth them with boats for their passage. From verse 22, 23, 24. Learn, 1. The hot moods and fits of temporaries will not alwayes coole at the first, but they may continue very earnest for a while; for so did it prove in this people, who, it seemes, stayed all night in the desert place watching for him, and are eagerly seeking him the day following. They are said to stand on the other side of the sea, though the desert near to Bethsaida, was on the same side with Capernaum, where Christ now was; because the nearest way to it was by sea, and the disciples had gone that way. 2. Such as follow Christ but for a wrong end, he will soone be weary of their company, and they will lose it; for, so did it fare with these, Jesus was not there, but had slipped from among them ere they were aware. 3. When Christ is away, it is the duty of such as respect him, to resolve to follow him on any tearmes; And even temporaries will not be put away with every repulse, but may seeme, for a time, to follow the faster; for, such is their practice here, they will go after and seek him, though they should leave their families and interests. 4. It is great folly and blindnesse in men, to do at upon places wherein Christ hath gloriously manifested himself, when he is removed thence in the ordinary signes of his presence; for, so much doth their practice teach, they would not stay in that place, (though famous for a miracle and Christs presence,) when he is away, but do follow him. 5. When Christ is withdrawn, men will be at a losse where to finde him, and to know whither he is gone, if they consult with reason; for, so much do they finde, he is not there, and yet they cannot (when they have considered all circumstances) discerne how, or whither he is gone. See Cant. 5.6. 6. Albeit Christ be not alwayes visibly seene in the company of his disciples, yet it is safest seeking him where they are, for, so do they, with good successe. They saw him not go with his disciples, yet they came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus, not onely because that was the place of his education, but because the disciples went thitherward, as it is like they knew when they went away. See Cant. 1.7, 8. 7. Such as have their heart and eye on Christ, resolving to follow him, his providence will serve them with means that they may follow him; for, they who resolve to follow, and had no boats, are within a while provided, as verse 23. And if he do so to hollow-hearted men, how much more to others? 8. In mentioning the place of the miracle, John takes notice that they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks, to shew 1. That spiritual minds are much taken up with observation of spiritual things, even when greatest outward wonders are a working; for, he passeth the miracle in a word, but speaks more fully of that refreshing and edifying thanksgiving. 2. Christs way of speaking to his Father, in prayer and praise, was very ravishing, and did take deep impression upon spiritual observers, who were witnesses of it; Therefore, is it now so warmely remembred by John. 3. It is one great lesson in Christs schoole, to learn that the blessing of all enjoyments are in Gods hand, and to fall in love with prayer and praise, as the mean of drawing out that blessing, as it is needed; Therefore, also John remembers the thanksgiving or blessing, especially as the mean of drawing down the blessing on these few loaves. 4. Such as are due observers of Christs wonderful works, will have high and reverend thoughts of him; Therefore, John doth on this occasion name him the Lord. Doctrine 9. Such as are but temporaries, and hollow-hearted, may get through without difficulties, where Christs peculiar followers will meet with stormes; he having more proofs of love to let out on them, and to them; for, they get through the sea easily, where the disciples were tempest beaten.

From verse 25. Learn, 1. Christ may condescend to be found even of hollow hearted men who follow him: That so he may witnesse that their perdition is of themselves, and that he is willing to to reclaim them: And that he may give a publike testimony, how willing he is to receive sincere seekers, when he is so condescending to such as these; for, they found him on the other side of the sea, to wit, at Capernaum, as appeareth verse 24. with 59. For albeit Christ landed in the Countrey beside, where he wrought some cures, as is recorded in the parallel places, Matth. 14.34. &c. Mark 6.53. &c. yet he was entered the City before these men met with him. 2. Temporaries may have as much shew and outside, as these who are sincere; so that none are to be tried thereby, but men must distinguish betwixt true piety and familiarity with Christ, and a shew or estimation of it; for, they make a great noise and fair shew, when they came to Christ. 3. Temporaries may give Christ very fair language and titles, it that will suffice him, and will not fail so to do it, so long as he doth not crosse their idols and designes; for, their compellation is Rabbi. 4. Temporaries also may pretend to very great familiarity with Christ, and may think themselves very great in his Court, and homely with him; So much doth this familiar question about his coming there, import. They judged that the great work he had done for them, had made them of worth before him, and great men in his account. 5. Whatever be the flourishe and pretences of hollow-hearts, or their paines in following Christ; yet this doth witnesse their unsoundnesse, that they make no right use of him, when they have the opportunity, but do curiously and idely passe away their time; for, all they have to say, is, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? which seemeth to relate not onely to the time, but to the manner also of his coming. And albeit it give some hint, that they suspected he came in a miraculous way, yet they were but curious and idle in propounding the questions, as the sequel more fully cleareth.