Christ Walks on the Sea. John 6, 15-21
V. 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. V. 16. And when even was now come, His disciples went down unto the sea, V. 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.
Here was evidence that the Jews had no idea as to the real meaning of the Messiah and His work, even if some of them were inclined to accept Jesus as the Christ. The intention gained adherents in their midst to snatch Jesus away suddenly and carry Him off for the purpose of making Him king.
But Jesus is not a mere Helper in physical needs; His aim is not to cater to the temporal, carnal desires of men; He is no "bread-king." He knew the hearts and minds of the people; by His omniscience He was fully aware of the ideas and intentions of the people. And therefore Jesus fled from them, since the idea of an earthly kingdom was not included in His plan of salvation.
This was a crisis, and He determined to lay the matter before His heavenly Father in prayer, as everyone of His followers should do at all times; He went up into a mountain all alone.
But first of all He insisted that His disciples should embark and return to the other side of the sea. By this time it was getting dark, and the disciples, having launched forth, set their course toward Capernaum, while Jesus stayed there alone.