John 6:1

Not that he cut over the lake of Tiberias, but by reason of the large creeks, his sailing made his journey the shorter: therefore he is said to have gone over the sea, when as he passed over from one side of the creek to the other.

Galilee. St. John does not usually relate what is mentioned by the other evangelists, especially what happened in Galilee. If he does it on this occasion, it is purposely to introduce the subject of the heavenly bread, which begins ver. 37. He seems, moreover, to have had in view the description of the different passovers during Christ’s public ministry. As he, therefore, remained in Galilee during the third passover, he relates pretty fully what passed during that time. We may also remark, that as the other three evangelists give, in the same terms, the institution of the blessed sacrament, St. John omits the institution, but gives in detail the repeated promises of Jesus Christ, relative to this great mystery.

1. The country that Christ was in (v. 1): He went over the sea of Galilee, called elsewhere the lake of Gennesareth, here the sea of Tiberias, from a city adjoining, which Herod had lately enlarged and beautified, and called so in honour of Tiberius the emperor, and probably had made his metropolis. Christ did not go directly over cross this inland sea, but made a coasting voyage to another place on the same side. It is not tempting God to choose to go by water, when there is convenience for it, even to those places whither we might go by land; for Christ never tempted the Lord his God, Matt 4 7.

Joh 6:1-14 Christ feedeth five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. Joh 6:15-21 He withdraweth himself from the people, who would have made him a king, and walketh on the sea. Joh 6:22-29 The multitude flocking to him, he reproveth their carnal views, and requireth their faith in him whom God hath sent. Joh 6:30-59 They ask a sign like that of the manna in the wilderness; he declareth himself to be the bread of life from heaven, and that none can live but by eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Joh 6:60-65 Many of his disciples taking offence thereat, he showeth his meaning to be spiritual. Joh 6:66-71 Many leaving him, Peter in the name of the twelve professes stedfast faith in him: Jesus pronounces one of them to be a devil.

Verses 1-14 John relates the miracle of feeding the multitude, for its reference to the following discourse. Observe the effect this miracle had upon the people. Even the common Jews expected the Messiah to come into the world, and to be a great Prophet. The Pharisees despised them as not knowing the law; but they knew most of Him who is the end of the law. Yet men may acknowledge Christ as that Prophet, and still turn a deaf ear to him.